Research by scientists from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow shows that it is not only the exhaust fumes generated by cars that pose a health risk. Dust generated as a result of e.g. abrasion of brake blocks is no less dangerous.

The source of transport-related dust emissions are also processes such as abrasion of the road surface and tires of cars or the destruction of road infrastructure elements. This list should also include the dust released as a result of corrosion of the car body and the use of mechanical elements of vehicles.

Dr Ewa Adamiec, the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection of AGH – studied the dust deposited on pavements in the vicinity of busy streets in Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław – cities with the highest traffic intensity in Poland; the results are alarming. The analysis of their chemical composition has shown that it is heavily contaminated with numerous metals associated with road transport.