Abstract
The transportation sector contributes to urban particulate matter (PM) pollution through emissions from both exhaust and non-exhaust processes. Among non-exhaust sources, brake wear debris from automotive brake pad-disc systems is a significant yet often underestimated pollutant. Brake wear emissions consist of airborne particles that disperse into the atmosphere and non-airborne particles that deposit on vehicle surfaces, roadways, and surrounding infrastructure. Airborne particles worsen urban air quality issues, while non-airborne debris can be resuspended due to traffic or environmental factors, contributing to waterway contamination through surface runoff. Brake wear generates particles ranging from nanometers to micrometers, with a substantial fraction falling in the fine particulate range, posing critical health risks. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms of brake wear particle generation, the physicochemical characteristics of the emitted debris, and its environmental dispersion and health implications. It also explores how material properties and operational conditions influence particle formation. By addressing the challenges associated with brake wear emissions, this study emphasizes the need for advanced materials and innovative design strategies to mitigate their environmental and health impacts.
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