Vehicle brake particles could harm public health

Health in a Heartbeat

Everyone knows the potential harm from vehicles’ tailpipe emissions. Now, scientists are turning an eye to the lesser-known particles created by brakes.

When it comes to brake particles, it’s a classic good news-bad news situation. Researchers don’t know a lot about brake particles, although some evidence suggests they may be more harmful than tailpipe emissions. But because most of those brake particles are electrically charged, they might someday help reduce tailpipe emissions.

Scientists at the University of California, Irvine determined that 80% of the aerosol particles created by vehicle braking carry an electric charge. In fact, many of them are highly charged. To learn this, the researchers attached a brake rotor and caliper to a large lathe and analyzed the particles.

The California team is just starting to understand the health effects and toxicity of brake particles. Early findings suggest the particles may play a role in oxidative stress, which can lead to cell damage.

The amount of electrically charged particles varies with the composition of brake pads. And because they carry a charge, removing them from the air could be relatively easy. The researchers say the removal could be as simple as collecting the particles with an electrostatic device that whisks them away.

The recent findings have important implications for lower-income neighborhoods. Because those areas tend to be traffic-heavy, the effects of brake dust on urban air pollution may be more pronounced.

Until science delivers a firm solution, consider heeding the well-worn advice for new drivers: Easy on the gas, easy on the brakes.