*3/22/10 KING-TV
Slamming the brakes on copper
by GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News
SEATTLE – Each time you step on the brakes, you leave a little bit of them on the street. Brake dust is the result of a properly working brake pad and when that dust contains copper, it can be a fish killer.
“Well, copper is extremely toxic in the marine and aquatic environment, fresh water and marine water,” said Kathy Fletcher of People for Puget Sound.
Her group and others teamed up to fashion a bill to phase out copper in brakes. And because it’s a slow process, the law was supported by the brake industry. The Governor signed it last week making Washington the first state to phase out copper-containing brakes.
More at
http://www.king5.com/news/environment/Slamming-The-Brakes-On-Copper-88870522.html