Brake dust damages lungs as much as diesel exhaust fumes

An image showing an ultra low emission zone in London

Source: © Kristian Buus/In Pictures/Getty Images

Landmark study highlights a new avenue for air pollution research

European and American governments have no directives to monitor air pollution resulting from the wear and tear of cars. Yet, a study showing that the metallic components in brake dust disrupt airway immune cells on the same scale as diesel emissions could set the wheels in motion to change that.