Research shows that brake pad dust is more toxic than diesel exhaust.

According to research, the microscopic particles released by certain brake pads are more toxic than the exhaust from diesel vehicles.

The University of Southampton conducted a study that found a higher concentration of the metal copper in brake pads can have harmful effects to sensitive cells in people’s lungs. This is because particles are inhaled.

Long-term exposure to the pollution produced by vehicles such as cars, vans, and lorries is associated with an increased risk for lung and cardiovascular disease.

The study found that while the past has focused primarily on exhaust emissions from vehicles, particles can also be released into the atmosphere by tyres, road wear and brake pads. These emissions are not regulated in any way.

The UK and other parts of Europe are now primarily responsible for vehicle PM emissions, with brake dust as the major contributor.

James Parkin is the lead author of the report and a research fellow in air pollutants. He said that the shift to electric cars has brought this issue into focus. Electric vehicles are often associated with zero emissions and pollution caused by exhaust pipes. EVs produce particulate due to road friction, tyres, and brake wear.

We wanted to know how the chemical composition of pads affected the toxicity of particles emitted, and what this could mean for individuals’ health.

Scientists conducted a detailed study to examine the effects of PM on lung health from four types of brake pads with different chemical compositions: semi-metallic low, organic non-asbestos and hybrid-ceramic.

Researchers were interested in PM2.5 particles and smaller (often called fine PM), which are 30 times smaller than a human hair.

The tiny particles can penetrate the air sacs in the lungs, which are responsible for the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen into and out of the bloodstream. Over four million premature deaths are linked to fine PM, which comes from many different sources.

Specialized equipment was used to collect brake pad particulate material. The Southampton team exposed samples of lung lining cells to fine particulate material in the lab to measure the effects of it, including oxidative stress and inflammation.

The study showed that organic non-asbestos brake pads are more potent than other types in terms of inflammation and other toxic markers, and they are also more toxic for human lung cells.

Ceramic pads ranked second in terms of toxicity. Both non-asbestos and organic ceramic pads contain high levels of copper. Later experiments found that the PM became less harmful when this copper was removed.

Published in the journal Fibre and Particle Toxicology are the findings that suggest a reduction in copper content of brake pads may help reduce some of the harmful effects caused by vehicle particulate matters.

Air pollution from vehicles, and other sources, is linked to many conditions such as asthma, chronic respiratory disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, dementia, and idiopathic lung fibrosis.

Separately an air quality survey in UK industrial working areas found that pollution levels were on average 63-times higher than those in public places, like bus and train stations.

Zehnder Clean Air Solutions’ assessments suggest that UK production workers breathe air dangerously polluted every day. This puts them at serious risk to their health.

The company measured these PM2.5 particle levels at industrial production sites such as bakeries and packaging lines. The company compared these readings with their respective offices as well as other public places like supermarkets, transport hubs and schools.

It found that the average PM2.5 reading in industrial production areas is 78 times higher than train stations. It’s also 87 times higher than supermarkets and shopping centres. And it’s 92x more than bus stations.

Ben Simons of Zehnder Clean Air Solutions Europe West said that factory floors and production centers, where workers spend their entire day, every single day, continue to expose UK staff to serious harm. The levels of pollution are off the charts.

We urgently need UK companies to understand the importance of providing clean air in the workplace. This dramatically improves employee quality of life, reduces health risks, and helps run their business, he said.