India, Jan. 14 -- The harmful impact of air pollution caused by diesel exhaust fumes on our health is well known. It's responsible for causing everything from respiratory problems to dementia and even certain types of cancers. But what most people don't realise is that exhaust fumes aren't the only cause of air pollution. In fact, up to 55 per cent of roadside traffic pollution is made of non-exhaust particles, with around 20 per cent of that pollution coming from brake dust . And as our latest research reveals, these particles may be just as damaging to our lungs as exhaust fumes.
Composed of iron particles, brake dust is caused by friction between the iron brake rotor grinding on the brake pads when a vehicle slows down. This brake dust ...