The effect of air pollution is associated with about seven millions of premature deaths a year around the world. When it comes to pollution of urban air, emissions of diesel exhausts are often depicted as the main culprit - this is fair, given the results of previous studies. However, now scientists have discovered something more alarming: the dust from the brake pads can be more harmful to human lungs than previously considered, writes Science Alert.

Dust formed as a result of wear of the road, tires and brakes, known as " Scientists believe that brake dust is often the main source, but it is not subject to regulation. Even less is known about the potential effect on health in comparison with the dust of diesel exhaust.

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In the course of the study, scientists grew cells in the laboratory, imitating the mucous membrane of the lungs, and then subjected these cells the effects of brake dust and dust of diesel exhaust gases. The results of the study showed that brake dust was much more harmful to cells, causing lung diseases, such as cancer and asthma. Scientists also found that the removal of copper from brake dust reduced these effects.

Scientists are alarmed by the fact that the current rules for vehicles, alas, are only aimed at emissions of exhaust gases. The results of the team showed that there is an acute need to also consider regulation of non -cold gases. One way to reduce the potential threat, according to scientists, is the reformulation of the brake pads - this will reduce the load on health.

Earlier, brake pads contained asbestos fibers to combat overheating. However, Asbest was banned in the UK in 1999 due to the connection with lung diseases. This led to the fact that the automotive industry has developed new brake pads that are widely used today.

During the study, scientists compared the harmfulness of dust from wear of various types of pads. The results indicate that the dust from the NAO pads developed to replace the pads containing asbestos turned out to be the most toxic for lung cells compared not only with dust from other types of pads, but also with dust gases of diesel engines.

Professor Matt Loxham from the University of Southampton believes that such an impact may be associated with the risk of developing diseases such as:.

Previous studies have shown that metals in particles of air pollution can have a toxic effect. In a new study, scientists also found that copper is able to penetrate the open lung cells. It was no less curious that the processing of brake dust with a chemical for neutralizing copper reduces its toxic effects. This suggests that copper causes at least some of the harmful properties of this dust.

It looks no less alarming that almost half of all the copper in the air that people breathe is entered due to wear of brakes and tires.

Various studies conducted by other research groups showed that the effects of high copper concentrations are associated with impaired lung function and a general risk of death.

Previously, Focus wrote that scientists told how air pollution destroys our liver.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict it. The text is exclusively informational in nature and does not contain medical advice. To establish a diagnosis, be sure to consult a doctor.