Review of Health Effects of Automotive Brake and Tyre Wear Particles
Athanasia Christou, Barouch Giechaskiel, Ulf Olofsson, Theodorοs Grigoratos · 2025 · 28 citationsRead the paper
Non-exhaust emissions from brakes and tyres are becoming the major transport-related contributor of particulate matter (PM) pollution in cities. Furthermore, tyre microplastics are the major contributor of unintentionally released microplastics in all environmental compartments. The European Union introduced for the first time worldwide limits for brakes (PM10) and tyres (total abrasion mass) with the Euro 7 regulatory step. Thus, the interest in brake and tyre particles regarding health and environmental impacts has significantly increased in recent years. In this review, we summarise studies that assessed the impact of brake and tyre particles on human, mammalian, aquatic, and terrestrial cells and organisms. Furthermore, we summarise the studies that compared the impact of brake and tyre particles to other sources. We also critically examine the sampling methodologies of brake and tyre particles for health and environmental impact studies.
What the full text shows
Shown in the lab- Brake wear particles induce pro-inflammatory responses, specifically ROS production and IL-8 secretion, in realistic testing scenarios. (Samples collected from drum brakes after prolonged use)
- Tyre wear particles induce significant cytotoxicity and ROS generation in 3D human airway organoids. — Concentrations > 200 μg/mL (3D human bronchial epithelial cell model)
- Tyre wear particles from granite pavements cause a stronger toxicological response than those from quartzite pavements. — Higher cytokine release and NO production for granite (Studded tyres on granite vs. quartzite pavements)
- Tyre by-products 6PPD and 6PPDQ bioaccumulate in the liver of mice. (Dose-dependent, repeated exposure)
- Brake particle toxicity is correlated with copper (Cu) concentration and abolished by metal chelators. (In vitro cell exposure)
- Tyre wear particles show significant toxicity in aquatic organisms, though effects vary by species. — 23 of 33 studies showed significant effects (Various aquatic organisms; high toxicity noted in coho salmon)
- Setup
- Review of PubMed and Google Scholar databases; analysis of 16 mammalian brake studies and 33 aquatic tyre studies.
- How
- Literature review of toxicological and epidemiological studies. The authors analyzed in vitro (cell lines, 3D organoids) and in vivo (mice, fish) studies, evaluating sample collection methods (e.g., road simulators, cryo-milling, brake dynamometers).
- Limitations
- Lack of epidemiological studies due to ethical concerns. · Many studies use non-representative laboratory samples (e.g., cryo-milling, extreme brake cycles). · Inconsistent sample collection methodologies across studies. · Lack of research on heavy-duty vehicle emissions.
Summarized by Gemma 4 from the open-access full text · 8 Oct 2026. Read it