Exploring the health impacts of non-exhaust emissions at ESTIV 2026
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Results from the European LIFE-NEEVE project were presented at the 23rd International Congress of the European Society of Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV) in Maastricht.
The research focuses on the potential health impacts of particles generated by tyre, brake and road pavement wear, including novel materials developed within the project to reduce these emissions.
The international congress provided an opportunity to share advances in 3D in vitro models, exchange knowledge and explore new strategies for assessing the impact of non-exhaust emissions on human health.
What are non-exhaust emissions?
Non-exhaust emissions are particles released from road traffic that do not come from the exhaust pipe. They include fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10) and microplastics generated by tyre wear, brake wear, road surface wear, and road dust resuspension.
The LIFE NEEVE project studies how both tyre and brake systems contribute to these emissions under real driving conditions, and how material properties and friction influence particle formation.
As exhaust emissions decrease, non-exhaust sources are becoming a growing share of total traffic-related pollution, with increasing focus on tyres, brakes, and road surfaces.
In the research presented at ESTIV, LIFE-NEEVE explored the potential health impacts of particles from tyre, brake and road pavement wear, using 3D in vitro models to support the assessment of non-exhaust emissions and human health.