Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions

[jfoonly]

The Guardian: Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says

Microscopic particles emitted from brake pads can be more toxic than those emitted in diesel vehicle exhaust, a study has found.

This research shows that even with a move to electric vehicles, pollution from cars may not be able to be eradicated.


The researchers found that a higher concentration of copper in some commonly used brake pads was associated with increased harmful effects on sensitive cells from people’s lungs, as a result of particles being breathed in.

If one pedal driving actually worked consistently on downhills, maybe it won't be much of a problem.

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[risingphoenix]

Link doesn't work (here it is: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/14/brake-pad-dust-toxic-exhaust-emissions)

I'm sure the fossil fuel industry will use the town crier to scream EVs aren't any better than ICE, but this data actually argues for EVs even more as regenerative braking dramatically reduces the use of brakes. I'm sure the brake pad emissions for an EVs are significantly less than ICE cars for this reason.

 

[BigSkies]

An easy indication if someone is full of s**t or pushing an agenda is whether they are conflating different types of pollution.

This article doesn't do that, but any discussion of pollution linkage quickly devolves into that type of discussion.

PM2.5 cannot be compared to VOC's, which can't be compared to greenhouse gasses, which can't be compared to other specific carcinogens.

For example, early emissions controls devices on cars were focused on things like VOC's and PM2.5. These made a massive difference in local air quality, but do little to change greenhouse gas emissions.

Modern efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions with electrification, efficiency, and renewables also happen to reduce other pollutants like VOC's and PM2.5.

 

[Yossarian]

It may well be true that brake pad dust is more toxic that ICE exhaust gases but that alone means little. It's similar to stating that bee venom is much more lethal than rattlesnake venom. Both statements may be true, but mean little without additional information.

If I had to choose, I'd go with the bee sting over the rattlesnake bite.

 

[Rivian Owner]

It may well be true that brake pad dust is more toxic that ICE exhaust gases but that alone means little. It's similar to stating that bee venom is much more lethal than rattlesnake venom. Both statements may be true, but mean little without additional information.

If I had to choose, I'd go with the bee sting over the rattlesnake bite.

I think the point is that with regen there is less brake dust generated because the brakes are used less, not that the emissions from an EV's brakes are less dangerous than the ICE emissions? If your brake pads last twice or three times as long on an EV compared to an ICE vehicle then it makes perfect sense to extrapolate that you'll be putting less brake dust into the air with an EV.

I always thought the whole asbestos issue was interesting in that before ceramic brakes, most brake pads were made with asbestos. I remember doing brake jobs with my father, and as with everything else in that era, we didn't worry about the large amounts of brake dust (asbestos) that would fall out of the brake drum when you pulled the drum off the axle, ignorance is bliss. I always wondered why everyone driving or living near a busy highway where a lot of braking occurred didn't end up with lung cancer?

 

[jfoonly]

Thanks all for the thoughtful discussion. I've fixed the link.

I always wondered why everyone driving or living near a busy highway where a lot of braking occurred didn't end up with lung cancer?

I think that a link between roadway proximity and a higher incidence of health problems is generally accepted (but not "everyone").

EPA: Near Roadway Air Pollution and Health: Frequently Asked Questions

NIH: Roadway Proximity and Lung Cancer Risk in NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study Participants

 

[mikehmb]

I often wonder exactly how much damage I did to my lungs riding motorcycles over I-80 through the Sierras so many times, inhaling a ton of semi brake dust and smelling the familiar odor of burning brake pads ...

 

[Ventura]

The Guardian: Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says




If one pedal driving actually worked consistently on downhills, maybe it won't be much of a problem.

I’m not sure about your experience, but once I switched my regents to standard on long downhills I didn’t have the issue of quickly getting to reduced regen and was able to one peddle drive for the most part.

 

[R1Thor]

I often wonder exactly how much damage I did to my lungs riding motorcycles over I-80 through the Sierras so many times, inhaling a ton of semi brake dust and smelling the familiar odor of burning brake pads ...

Probably not as much as when you were near/behind any diesel-emitting vehicles, to be honest.

 

[docwhiz]

The Guardian: Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says




If one pedal driving actually worked consistently on downhills, maybe it won't be much of a problem.

My Tesla one pedal driving works great. I rarely use the brakes. (I live in the mountains.)
Probably just a matter of fine tuning to improve Rivian one pedal driving.

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