And how has that removed the existing decades of contamination?

Some use copper, which can kill fish when it washes into rivers. Iirc some states have banned copper in brake pads but not all.

Still was used up until recently in many parts of the world. Most, if not almost all, pre fabricated buildings constructed before 2008 in South Africa are made of asbestos. And many of these buildings, including classrooms, are still standing and in use today. I went to school in asbestos made classrooms and I'm only in my mid 20s. I know someone who currently teaches at a school with prefabricated classrooms likely made of asbestos.