[Emission measurements of fibrous dust in the Federal Republic of Germany. Fibrous emissions from brake linings of motor vehicles].

The brake and clutch linings of automobiles contain 10 to 70% of asbestos, mainly chrysotile. They are therefore considered to be a significant source of carcinogenic asbestos fibers in ambient air. This could be confirmed by measurements done in urban ambient air in different parts of West Germany. Asbestos fiber concentrations till 1000 fibers/m3 (for fibers longer than 5 microns) were found. It could be also shown, that materials used in the brake lining production as well as dust emitted during car braking contained asbestos fibers with high carcinogenic potency.