A British study finds that particles released from brake pads during use are even more toxic than diesel engine exhaust gases.
According to the study, brake pads are dangerous to health, and the most hazardous are organic pads.
Dangerous particles are also released from tires and asphalt.
Not only from the exhaust While countries worldwide combat air pollution from internal combustion engines through taxation, stricter emission regulations, and encouragement of electric mobility, a new study claims that the shift to electric will not solve all problems.
The study, conducted at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, indicates that microscopic particles emitted from certain types of brake pads can be more toxic than black smoke and invisible harmful particles released by diesel engines.
Brake pads containing copper compounds release tiny particles into the air during pad wear (essentially every braking action) and these particles enter the human body through the respiratory system, damaging sensitive tissues in the lungs.
Such particles are responsible for more than 4 million deaths per year, according to the researchers.
Not all brakes are equal The study examined four types of pads – organic (asbestos-free), metallic, semi-metallic, and ceramic, commonly found in sports cars. Paradoxically, the most toxic are the organic pads, with a higher risk level than diesel engine emissions.
Second are ceramic pads, while metallic pads showed a lower level of pollution. The study suggests that reducing copper content in brake pads could mitigate pollution effects.
Researchers note that particle pollution comes not only from brakes but also from tires and even asphalt wear. Electric cars may pose a higher risk because they have larger tires and brakes than non-electric vehicles and their weight increases asphalt wear due to the batteries they carry.
It should also be noted that the new European pollution standard (Euro 7) addresses emissions from brake pads and tires for the first time, not just propulsion system exhaust.
However the standard, which was supposed to take effect at the beginning of 2025, will actually apply only from 2030 after pressure from the automotive industry.
Our view Focusing on electric propulsion as the main solution to air pollution misses the bigger picture.
Pollution is not released only from car exhaust, or even just from tires and brakes.
If governments truly want to solve the climate crisis, they must closely address vehicle production and transport processes and especially pay attention to what happens outside Europe.
Even if the entire European market switches to electric, billions of vehicles in Asia, Africa and the Americas will continue to pose a threat to the planet we live on.