Document 2Jk2wXOD85DGp6kM91Q0DKex5

ANCHOR BRAKE shoes--asbestos emissions '.VEST CHICAGO August 08, 1977 R. H. Alter tales Manager ANCHOR Brake Shoes Many of cur customers have asked us about the dangers of as: ssros in our brake shoes during use. This concern resulted from wide scread publicity in the press concerning asbestos and its effect: :: general health. We have answered the questions by quoting conclusions from : :_iies conducted by Industrial concerns and government agencies. Trase all conclude chit the dust emitted from brake linings is not a s rgnificant source of asbestos in the environment. Brake linings in au: :s contain up to 551 asbestos but the fiber is locked Into the linings -ich various resins and polymers. Whan brakes are applied high : srperatures generated from friction change the chemical nature of ashes: :s into a non-fibrous material known as "forsterite". Studies have s rown that brace lining dust contains only traces of free asbestos fiber. Since raiiroad brake shoes contain only 1/5 as much asbestcs ; the danger is even less. Asbestos fiber health hazards are confined mainly to industr:1=1 workers. The risk comes from inhalation of excessive amounts of ashes-:os~ dust over a period of many years. Some long time employees have :ceveloped cancer. With today's improved dust control technology, then:; IS every reason to believe that asbestos related disease will rase to be an occupational problem. (O.S.H.A. Standards now prohibi-: asbestos " fiber levels above 2 5+ micron fibers per cm3 of air in a i.anc.) The basis of the above opinions came from the following sour:;es: (articles attached) 1. "Asbestos and Health" Johns-Manville Co. A good general discussion of asbestos and health, with good references to much of the work done in this field. This article states that "there is no evidence either from experience or scientific study that anyone in the general public has ever contracted any disease from exposure to the wearing or weathering of brake linings." 2. "Asbestos and Brake Linings" Asbestos Information Associ cion This small pamphlet concentrates on asbestos in auto,truck, and bus brake linings. It's important message: "The contribution of asbestos from brake lining wear to ambient air pollution is infinitesimal, even in urban areas and Is an inconsequential health factor in urban air pollution." ANCHOR BRAKE SHOES--ASBESTOS EMISSIONS WEST CHICAGO Page 2 It also states that asbestos exists naturally in serpentine rock formations throughout the world and is constantly being released into the atmosphere through erosion, by wind and water. ' "Brake Lining Decomposition Products'1 Jeremiah R. Lynch National Center for Urban and Industrial Health, U.S. Public Health Sen/ice, Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, Voi. 18, No. 12, P? 82^-826, 1958. Brake testing laboratory methods were used to test fiber emissions from a variety of friction products. Mr. Lynch concludes that only a very small proportion of the asbestos worn from brake linings is released as free fiber; the remainder is converted into some other mineral as a result of the extreme temperatures generated at small spots on the lining surface. . " - DAi "Brake and Clutch Emissions Generated During Vehicle Operation" Jacko, DuCharme, & Somers. S.A.E. Meeting, May 1^-18, 1973; aper No. 7305^8. (A more completed detailed recort is E.P.A. 8-09-0020 5/71 - 3/73) ." An actual automobile was equipped with a 'unique collection system to accumulate all brake lining emissions. Particulate matter was ' analyzed using optical and electron microscope methods. On the average, more than 99-1% of the asbestos is converted, (to other harmless dust particles) 5- "Asbestos Emissions from Brake.Dynamometer Tests" Anderson, Gealer, McCune, and Sprys. Ford Motor Co. S.A.E. Meeting May 19-18, 1973 Paper No. 730599- ' These Ford engineers conducted their studies on a brake lining dynamometer, using automobile disc brakes. Analysis was made using a transmission electron microscope. Less than 0.02# of the lining wear was released as asbestos fibers. The concentration of asbestos fibers in the urban atomosphere, due to brake usage was estimated at 0.07 X 10 - 9 g/m . Based on this figure, the use of brakes was Judged to be not significant as a source of atmospheric asbestos. ANCHOR BRAKE SHOES--ASBESTOS EMISSIONS WEST CHICAGO PAGE 3 Summary: 1. Health hazards from asbestos are confined mainly to industrial workers. 2. Improved dust control technology has drastically reduced exposure to asbestos fibers. 3. Tne dust emitted from auto brake linings is not a significant source of asbestos in the environment. i Railroad composition brake shoes contain only 1/5 as much asbestos as the auto brake linings so are even safer. R. D. Fleck Director Research and Development RDF:meo P.5. The Product Loss Control Committee recommended that the AFSTED legal department approve any letter concerning safety prior to sending out to our salesmen. ANCFDR BRAKE SHOES EMISSIC _1 March 15, 1978 Mr. W. E. Mir.5 Engineer, Car Construction frchanical Department Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Co. 50 j Water Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Dear Mr. Miras : _ This letter and the attachments are in response to your request for information regarding lead and asbestos in our ANCHOR Com position Brahe Shoes. The contents of the attachments are as follows: / ' 1. A report entitled " ANCHOR Brake Shoes, Asbestos Emissons". This report dated August 8, 1977, by our Mr. R. D. Fleck, Director of Research and Development, contains numerous con clusions from studies by industrial concerns and governmental agencies regarding the use of asbestos in brake linings. / / 2. A letter dated January 30, 1578 from Mr. Fleck outlining the findings of Ryckman, Edgerlev, Tomlinson and Associates, regarding lead and asbestos emissions on the dynamometer when testing ANCHOR Brake Shoes. 3. Another letter dated February 9, 1978 from Mr. Fleck covering the volume content of asbestos and lead in ANCHOR 3rakc Shoos, the make-up of the bond and the recommended handling of our ~ brake shoes. Please review the enclosed and let me know if additional infor mation is required. (cont.) cc: F. P. Kostka Chief Patent Attorney AMSTED Industries SCP, RDF, DBW, FILE, BOOK v/ CSXT 428063 As we discussed by telephone, I would appreciate a copy of the letter from Mr. G. v;. Gerhart of the Safety Steering Committee of the AAR. We thank you for your cooperation and again, if you have any additional questions or comments on the enclosed, feel free tc call on us. RKA/1 j .t. Very' truly yours R. H. Alber Sales Manager ANCHOR Brake Shoes cc: F. P. Kostka Chief Patent Attorney AMSTED Industries SCP, RDF, DBW, FILE, BOOK C3XT 4l99t4