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This might actually be brake dust. In that case, the situation most likely will be improved by electric cars because they use their brakes far less often, decel

This might actually be brake dust. In that case, the situation most likely will be improved by electric cars because they use their brakes far less often, decelerating with their motors.

dv_dt 1y ago
And it could be both tire dust and or brake dust are indicators of proximity to combustion engine exhaust. Any individual or combination of those could be an increased cancer risk. But only the dust is immediately visible and leaves behind a tangible trace
- deleted 1y ago
  [deleted]
voxic11 1y ago
Breaks are only part of the problem unfortunately. > Resuspension of dust already on the road’s surface is the most significant contributor to non-exhaust PM by far, however these particles are difficult to characterize and manage because they could come from anywhere before landing on the road. Brakes are the next most significant source, and may also be particularly hazardous because of their small size and high metal content. Tires contribute the least, but they release large amounts of particles which act as microplastics in ecosystems. https://www.nrdc.org/bio/john-bailey/beyond-tailpipe https://www.nrdc.org/bio/john-bailey/beyond-tailpipe
MathMonkeyMan 1y ago
I've heard that regenerative braking helps, but the relatively higher mass of an electric car (because of the battery) hurts. I wonder how it adds up in terms of brake dust produced.
- Toutouxc 1y ago
  My EV is around 25 % heavier than comparable ICE vehicles, but it only uses the disc brakes to stop the car from walking pace and hold it in place. I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of brake dust was less than 5 % of what my previous car emitted.
  - jajko 1y ago
    But then you have much more tire dust, since it rises rather exponentially and not linearly with mass of the vehicle. Overall more health-friendly but not as much as people(owners) like to think.

This might actually be brake dust. In that case, the situation most likely will be improved by electric cars because they use their brakes far less often, decelerating with their motors.

dv_dt 1y ago

And it could be both tire dust and or brake dust are indicators of proximity to combustion engine exhaust. Any individual or combination of those could be an increased cancer risk. But only the dust is immediately visible and leaves behind a tangible trace

deleted 1y ago
[deleted]

voxic11 1y ago

Breaks are only part of the problem unfortunately. > Resuspension of dust already on the road’s surface is the most significant contributor to non-exhaust PM by far, however these particles are difficult to characterize and manage because they could come from anywhere before landing on the road. Brakes are the next most significant source, and may also be particularly hazardous because of their small size and high metal content. Tires contribute the least, but they release large amounts of particles which act as microplastics in ecosystems. https://www.nrdc.org/bio/john-bailey/beyond-tailpipe https://www.nrdc.org/bio/john-bailey/beyond-tailpipe

MathMonkeyMan 1y ago

I've heard that regenerative braking helps, but the relatively higher mass of an electric car (because of the battery) hurts. I wonder how it adds up in terms of brake dust produced.

Toutouxc 1y ago
My EV is around 25 % heavier than comparable ICE vehicles, but it only uses the disc brakes to stop the car from walking pace and hold it in place. I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of brake dust was less than 5 % of what my previous car emitted.
- jajko 1y ago
  But then you have much more tire dust, since it rises rather exponentially and not linearly with mass of the vehicle. Overall more health-friendly but not as much as people(owners) like to think.