That's It-Stop Using your Brakes Everyone.

[aussiblue]

https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...0214123739.htm and https://particleandfibretoxicology.b...89-024-00617-2
Perhaps after all we haven't moved on so far since they banned asbestos pads.

Brake pad emissions can be more toxic than diesel exhaust

Date:
February 14, 2025 Source: University of Southampton
Summary:
A study has found microscopic particles emitted from certain types of commonly fitted brake pads can be more toxic than those found in diesel vehicle exhaust.
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FULL STORY

A study by the University of Southampton (UK) has found microscopic particles emitted from certain types of commonly fitted brake pads can be more toxic than those found in diesel vehicle exhaust.

The research shows that a higher concentration of copper in some pads is associated with increased harmful effects on sensitive cells from people's lungs, as a result of particles being breathed in.

Exposure to pollution generated by cars, vans and lorries has long been linked to an increased risk of lung and heart disease. However, while past attention has mainly concentrated on exhaust emissions, particles are also released into the air from tyre, road and brake pad wear -- emissions which are largely unregulated by legislation.

These 'non-exhaust' pollution sources are now responsible for the majority of vehicle particulate matter (PM) emissions in the UK and parts of Europe, with brake dust being the main contributor.

Lead author of the study, Dr James Parkin, explains that a move to electric cars is bringing the problem into sharper focus: "People generally associate pollution from cars as being from exhaust pipes and think of electric vehicles as having zero emissions. However, EVs still produce particulate matter due to friction and wear of the road, tyres, and brakes.

"We wanted to understand how different types of chemical composition of pads affect the toxicity of the particles emitted and what this might mean for the health of individuals."

The scientists undertook an in-depth study examining the effects on lung health of PM from four different types of brake pad with differing chemical compositions; low metallic, semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic and hybrid-ceramic. The researchers were particularly interested in the smallest particles, of PM2.5 and below (often referred to as fine PM) -- 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.

These tiny particles can make their way beyond the upper airways and deeper into the delicate lung air sacs, which enable the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood stream. Fine PM from a variety of different sources is associated with over four million premature deaths per year worldwide.

Brake pad particulate matter was collected using specialist equipment. In the laboratory, the Southampton team used samples of cells from the lining of the lung and exposed them to the fine particulate matter to measure its effects, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, or the death of cells.

Results showed that of the four types of brake pads, non-asbestos organic pads were the most potent in terms of inducing inflammation and other markers of toxicity, and more toxic to human lung cells than diesel exhaust particles. Ceramic pads were the second most toxic. Importantly, both non-asbestos organic and ceramic pads contain high concentrations of copper, and later experiments to remove this copper found the PM became less toxic.

The findings, published in the journal Particle and Fibre Toxicology, suggest that a reduction of copper content in brake pads could help mitigate some of the harmful effects of vehicle particulate matter. Air pollution, including from cars, has been linked to a range of conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases, dementia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lung).

Project supervisor Professor Matthew Loxham comments: "This research has important implications for health and future policy because as we switch from diesel and petrol-powered cars to electric vehicles, non-exhaust particle emissions will remain. Non-exhaust emissions could increase over time due to electric vehicles being heavier than combustion engine vehicles and creating greater friction."

The researchers highlight that while electric vehicles emit no exhaust emissions they aren't emission-free and that health effects from vehicle emissions won't necessarily be completely removed once the fleet is fully electrified. They suggest that current legislation, which focuses on PM exhaust emissions, may be inadequate to fully mitigate the health effects of vehicles in the future.

[CyberWasp]

Have a close look at your headlights and windscreen and you will see the evidence of the extremely hot microscopic brake dust that hits your car.

All you can do is keep a larger distance to the car in front, especially the ones that ride their brakes down the slightest of hills. What are those things called to avoid this, yes gears.

Can't tell you if it finds its way into your lungs or is bad for you, but it does get on your car and if vain like me, I will try to minimise it.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Have a close look at your headlights and windscreen and you will see the evidence of the extremely hot microscopic brake dust that hits your car

What if I told you, that because of the microscopic size of these particles, that by the time they make it to your headlights, windscreen and paint, that they arent any hotter than the surrounding atmosphere?

[simon varley]

Euro 7 emission legislation will measure this as part of total vehicle emission.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by simon varley

Euro 7 emission legislation will measure this as part of total vehicle emission.

Another small push towards EVs with their one-pedal driving....

[marty351]

Put Greta's hair in the pads. Totally green.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by marty351

Put Greta's hair in the pads. Totally green.

The only problem is whenever you use them, they make a noise that sounds like 'How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood'

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by b0son

The only problem is whenever you use them, they make a noise that sounds like 'How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood'

Yep..... bad idea, that'd make me try braking even harder....

[swamp]

hi
The only bad part about that,, is total lack of thought given to the mechanic .
Years of asbestos dust , this can only be partially be avoided . And the replacement might be worse ?
Another is lifting 30--40 kg every wheel .
Its illegal to lift more than 20kgs manually in Australia ,,LOL
With all the oils and chemicals ,,, gloves become a problem , bare skin as its always been .

[b0son]

Originally Posted by swamp

Its illegal to lift more than 20kgs manually in Australia ,,LOL

not quite, max weight is subject to a risk assessment. can be more depending on various factors. agree with the LOL, people forget that filled grain jute bags used to weigh up to 80kg. we have it pretty easy nowadays.

[Citroënbender]

Does the convening board behind Euro emissions targets, have a stated eventual goal?

[Toiler]

Yes. We walk everywhere.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Does the convening board behind Euro emissions targets, have a stated eventual goal?

Reduce emissions and pollutants from vehicles as much as possible.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Toiler

Yes. We walk everywhere.

And takeaway is served cold because it's delivered via UberFeets.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by swamp

hi
The only bad part about that,, is total lack of thought given to the mechanic .
Years of asbestos dust , this can only be partially be avoided . And the replacement might be worse ?
Another is lifting 30--40 kg every wheel .
Its illegal to lift more than 20kgs manually in Australia ,,LOL
With all the oils and chemicals ,,, gloves become a problem , bare skin as its always been .

Yep, the mechanic doesnt matter, the elitists that come up with this crap view the likes of mechanics and others that work with their hands to be from a lower class and therefore disposable

[mondeomatureguy]

Hi guys,
When i was young 21 years old i worked for a Taxi Company in Paddington in Sydney.
it was one of the largest Cab Company in Sydney then. They had a garage Section, Tyre Bay, and Service Bay.

I worked in the garage Section from 1977 to 1984. I would watch the Guys in the Brake Bay which was across from my section. They did brakes 8 hours a day 5 days a week with not wearing gloves or a mask and they would inhale this brake dust every day.

After i left that job i lost contact with them but still wonder how they are.

Allan Moffat once said " if we never used the brakes on a car imagine how much petrol we would save".