Issue 5, 2024

Unrecognized volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds from brake wear

Abstract

Motor vehicles are among the major sources of pollutants and greenhouse gases in urban areas and a transition to “zero emission vehicles” is underway worldwide. However, emissions associated with brake and tire wear will remain. We show here that previously unrecognized volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, which have a similarity to biomass burning emissions are emitted during braking. These include greenhouse gases or, these classified as Hazardous Air Pollutants, as well as nitrogen-containing organics, nitrogen oxides and ammonia. The distribution and reactivity of these gaseous emissions are such that they can react in air to form ozone and other secondary pollutants with adverse health and climate consequences. Some of the compounds may prove to be unique markers of brake emissions. At higher temperatures, nucleation and growth of nanoparticles is also observed. Regions with high traffic, which are often disadvantaged communities, as well as commuters can be impacted by these emissions even after combustion-powered vehicles are phased out.

Graphical abstract: Unrecognized volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds from brake wear

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 jan 2024
Accepted
03 apr 2024
First published
18 apr 2024

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024,26, 928-941

Unrecognized volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds from brake wear

V. Perraud, D. R. Blake, L. M. Wingen, B. Barletta, P. S. Bauer, J. Campos, M. J. Ezell, A. Guenther, K. N. Johnson, M. Lee, S. Meinardi, J. Patterson, E. S. Saltzman, A. E. Thomas, J. N. Smith and B. J. Finlayson-Pitts, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024, 26, 928 DOI: 10.1039/D4EM00024B

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