Push to cut copper brakes from mainstream use over pollutants

This comes after copper was found to be contaminating waterways at a fifth of sites sampled around Christchurch.

University of Canterbury senior research fellow Dr Aisling O'Sullivan said copper was one of the most eco-toxic metals in New Zealand with devastating effects on freshwater wildlife.

Every time a vehicle brakes, small particles of copper are shaved off and end up being washed into groundwater and flowing into wastewater drains.  Read more