Fellow Story

New California Law Phases Out Use of Copper in Brake Pads

Fellow(s): Mark Schlautman

Sustainable Conservation and Ashley Boren, its Executive Director and Chair of the Switzer Foundation's board, have successfully shepherded the passage of a new law in California that will phase out the use of copper in brake pads.  This legislation is the result of a 15 year collaborative effort that was supported in part by the Switzer Foundation.  Switzer Fellow Dr. Mark Schlautman of Clemson University in Georgia provided scientific and technical review of the issue of copper transport from brake pads into ecosystems. The Switzer Foundation provided Leadership Grant support in 2000, 2001 and 2004.  Sustainable Conservation continued to lead the effort while Mark gained new experience in applying his technical abilities to a major environmental issue in which California is playing a lead role that will have industry-wide implications. Click here for a link to the full story on Sustainable Conservation's website.

Additional Resources

Phasing-in Copper-free Brakes to Protect Aquatic Wildlife, May 2016

Meet the Fellows in this Story

Mark Schlautman

1988 Fellow
Mark is currently teaching and performing research at Clemson University in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. He also is a faculty member for the graduate program in Environmental Toxicology and holds...