Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says:
‘Scientists examined the effects on lung health of particulate matter from four different types of brake pad with differing chemical compositions: low metallic, semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic and hybrid-ceramic.
Results showed that of the four types of brake pads, non-asbestos organic pads were the most potent at inducing inflammation and other markers of toxicity and were found to be more toxic to human lung cells than diesel exhaust particles. Ceramic pads were the second most toxic.’ Guardian article quote:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/14/brake-pad-dust-toxic-exhaust-emissions
And it isn’t just particulate pollution from disc braking that is the environmental issue – there is also heat that is impacting the environment.
The design of disc brakes allows the heat to be transferred directly into the atmosphere, cooling more efficiently than drum brakes. Consequently, they tend to maintain their stopping power even under high stress conditions such as continuous, heavy braking.
PolestarFBS technology will eliminate both particulate and heat pollution resulting from disc brakes and make considerable improvement to the environment and human habitation.