Document 7RevJbY4jQg40VxXJDnK8NBER

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT SH-I647 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, ANU WELFARE . CDC, MIOSII ' Minutes of Occupational Exposures to Asbestos Dust From Brake Linings Meeting . t July 21, 1975 0 * Attendees . See Attached " Proceedings Dr. John F. Finklea, Director of IIIOSH, welcomed the attendees. He stated that the purposes of the meeting were- (1) to consider preliminary data on asbestos exposure among brake lining workers and (2) to liscuss a future course of action based on this preliminary information. or, Finklea then turned the meeting over to Dr. Irving Selikoff of Mount Sinai-for presentation of some of his work on this problem, ` Dr. Selikoff described the background for our current concern. The health effects of asbestos are.well known. However, the health hnr.ard associated with asbestos in brake linings until recently has recci/cl iittle attention. It vas thought that the intense heat generated iron braking nodified the asbestos and that brake lining dust contained insignificant amounts of asbestos fibers, hr. dar.cu.so in l?r3 dll describe asbestos-related health ' effects in the manufacturing of asbestos for brake linings but apparently this caused little concern. In 1973. a case of mesothelioma was reported in a brake repair worker. This stimulated a re-examination of tlicf problem! Dr. SelikofT aciunited with '-r. Meyers of UAH, Mr. Cefalo of LAM and the Ford Motor Company aud the groun at Mt. Sinai initiated a study to determine if brake lining workers were exposed to sigiTificant levels of asbestos. . Dr. Selikoff introduced Jr. Langer of Mt. Sinai who reviewed the composition of brake linings and the breakdown products thought to occur from heat generated luring braking". Previous studies did not demonstrate asbestos fibers in the amounts or prevalence t? indicated b/ the current studies- at Mt. Sinai However, recent studies at Mt. Sinai demonstrated typical chrvsotile asbestos fibers along with a wide range of other forms of crystalline and fibrous materials, lie ennhusiv.c.'. that the composition of brake linings nay differ, for oxi-anlc, brake lL:\i;v*.3 in the l=.S. and Great Britain and products here in the D.S. nay nave undergone many changes over the yours. This is particularly important ainco recent data show that 1 Md of the new car market is undo up of these imports. Further research is needed to chnrncterir.c the ^s. o ;to= DPMC-01435 LAM 007958 content of past and present dust exposures. It should be recognized also .that the health effects of other materials in hrahe dust have not bpen studied. . Dr. kohl from Mt. Sinai reported on studies nf asbestos dust expo sure-in automobile repair shops in dev York City. Pea!; exposures from 5-8 minutes duration were measured. Fiber counts, using the OSIiA method, verc from A to 30/nl at 3-5. feet from brake drums cleaned with coranrcsseJ air. At >-10 feet, counts ranged from 2 to A ni; at l')-20 feet 0.4 to 4.8/ml. Drums cleaned with a brush generated less airborne asbestos, 1.3-3.6 fibcrs/nl in the operators breathing :one. Eighty to 99% of the fibers as observed by electron -.icrosconv were les3 taan i.4 microns in iength, indicating a much higher exposure to asbestos fibers than indicated by optical microscopy. Workers encaged in grinding operations to renew brake linings were exposed to 2-7 onticallv visible fibers/nl. Those bevelling linings had high exposures ranging fro.; 32 72 fibcrs/ml. Dr. George Wright pointed out that earlier studies shoved that 1 to 3% of brake dust is fibrous asbestos. Dr. Loriner of Mt. Sinai reported on nedical examination of ,*3 bra!ce~repalr workers with 1-4Q years of exposure. A substantial number were reported to have M-rsy and vcntllatcrv function 'baarmnlitles. Further studies need to be done in this area before nnv conconiusioas on health- effects can be drawn, However, It was pointed out that at least four cases of nesothellona have been reported nationally among auto mobile rcoair workers and this lends urgency to the problem. Dr. Finklea asked for comnents and recommendations for addressing the problem. !Ir. .Meyers suggested that several practical control measures arc feasible nov. Indeed, these measures have been instituted in several shons. His union alerted its members via its newsletter ana envelope.: posters to alert workers to the problem. !!r. Meyers emphasized taut Cue employers with whom he worked verc most cooperative. Enplovers verc encouraged to use vacuum cleaning of brake drums and, where accessary, masks to reduce exposure. His union has made arrangements for continued nedical evaluation of its members. He emphasized the- importance of union representatives having access to workplaces for observation of sanitary practices. Dr. George Uright, an industrial consultant, emphasized that manu facturers have a responsibility to ascertain what happens to tucir products after being sold to others. This problem represents a diffi cult problem for the manufacturer and for their industrial cast imo-ra. Dr. Wright stressed belief that the asbestos industry would cooperate, in every possible way. -r. Wight was not totallv surprised by the fiber counts reported and expressed the belief that one -night subseme itly encounter the full spectrum of nsbestax-relited dine me a-tong .-.rin.ers. Dr. Wright expressed concern that oou.lit ions night Lo worse asu. DPMC-01436 LAM 007959 M 3 exposures higher anon? sone snallcr businesses. Dr. Wright cautioned that the influence of fiber size should be considered and t.ut any extrapolation to the general population be made with caution, lie urged that any subsequent investigations utilize the UICC classification and the inclusion of negative controls. Dr. Wright cautioned against over interpreting the occurrence of four ncsothcliona cases. Ilr. Samuels of TOD urged that 1II0S11: -- Ilotify the Department of Labor about this problem; -- 'lake minutes of this meeting available to nubile along with a suitable press release; -- Notify other involved unions; ' -- Institute an aopropriate national sannling program; -- Institute a program of surveillance and intervention. . Other unions involved include: . -- United Auto Workers ' ' . -- Teamsters -- American Federation of Government Employees --* Allied Industrial Workers -- Laborers International ' -- International \ssociation of Machinists -- American Postal Workers Union United kubber VIorkcrs . --- Amalgamated Transit Union _ --* Transport Workers Union of -America . -- United Transportation Union Mr. Snnuels of TUD urged that everyone be informed of cr.iitinj, easily applicable control measures. 'Ir. .severs suggested any release control technology be built uoo-a their asbestos safety bullet In. Mr. Angelo kefalo of IAM discussed the need to infer:-, affected locals and union members in nn orderly fashion, Mr. Ccfalo stated t.:_t DPMC-01437 lam 007960 '* ? J i t j i i 1 ! '..xl'.:. ~4- the needed research nrogran should be planned and funded, lie offered his assistance in obtaining any needed 3ur>nort for this program. Dr. ?lancuso of the University of Pittsburgh at the request of the International Association of Machinists conducted a pilot study of deata records and identified in 1173 a mesothelioma case (proven by autopsy) of a garage mechanic- and another case of pleural mesothelioma in a nillright uho vas bloving out asbestos, friction-tync dutche. vita conprassed air at a paper connany. Dr. '.laacuso felt the nature uf the death records vas such that other case-i of mesothelioma nay exist but are unrecognized. He spoke of the need to use this opportunity to develop an effective industrial medical surveillance system. Herb Northrop of Ford asked that any alert bulletin place this problem in perspective -- pointing out other recognized ennosurcs to' asbestos. John Dement of DFSCI presented nrelininarv data fron a NIOSH study shoving oeak exposures of un to 5 fibcrs/nl during brake drum bloving. He also showed peak lead levels of approximately A.5 ng/M3 during blowing operations. NIOSH electronmicroscopic studies of brake drum dust also shoved a nrcdoninance of small asbestos fibers with most fibers being loss than 1 micrometer in length. At a plant renevi.-.e. lined brake shoes, exposures of 2") fibers/ml (during grinding) and peaks of un to 10 fibers/nl during emptying of a drum containing old linings were -observed. ^ Dr. Weaver of API offered to communicate with gasoline stations and he supported further studies of the problem and ennhasized the need to use appropriate controls of HICC film reading techniques. Ed Alpaugh of International Harvester urged preparation of a joint release. Paul Toth of Ford offered to help with suggestions on control technology and In disseminating information from NIOSH on this nattc-r to appropriate Ford Motor Company dealer relations personnel, John Horan of EPA pointed out that disc brakes release more asbestos into the general environment than shoe brakes. He st.itc.i that the EPA expressway roadside study could Ieoh at asbestos levels along a gradient avav from the oxprcssv/ay. Ur. Sclikoff pointed out lout braking, itself, my be important and that roadside studies should consider the effect of braking. Dr. ''ancuso vas asked to comment on the needed hcilth studies. lie suggested an epidemiology study of the mortalitv cxnoricncc of a cohort of unionized rnrhers and their families. He emphasized need for oxere<o care in the experimental design. He thought such a studv should look for other cancers tml oocunationa] rospiratorv disease; as roll us nshe.atos-r.:3 nteu 'isorders. DPMC-01438 LAM 007961 5 It was emphasized that workers were ecnoned to metals, pia3tlc dusts (body shoos), solvents and toxic gases like carbon monoxide. nr. Mnncuso recommended clinical studies in the same pooulation of worker.';. He especially requested evaluation of so-called "nuisance dusts" "iiich he claims nay be more harmful than now realized. He emphasized need to look at workers who left the industry as well as those who arc still employed. . Mr. Toth strcsse.t the need to ascertain the role of tobacco smoking in any studies. Others agreed with hie. L`r. `lancuso took, exception to the undue emphasis on the snoking aspects, to the exclusion of proper recognition of the magnitude of inherent health risks due to the chemicals.in dusts of the working environment. pr. Selikoff suggested seven areas for urgent study: -- Analysis of brake materials utilized since 1940 using literature survey and laboratory analysis (EPA/NIOSU). -- Broad based national industrial hygiene survey to . assess exposures for various occupational tasks (NIOSH/ASHA). ' *V - -- -- Epidemiologic studies of mortality experience of exposed vrorkers from several sources (NIOSH). lie suggests this receive the highest priority. . -- Further clinical studies of 1,000 workers including suitable controls (NIOSH). -- Autopsy survey of lung asbestos burden of exposed workers in auto maintenance industry (NlOSIi) . ` -- Industrial hygiene measures to better control exposure (Joint effort of unions, industry and NIOSH). -- Education of workers to hazard and to use control measures (DOL/NIOSK), Dr. Selikoff suggested that there be no delay in getting this program undewav. Dr. Joe Wagoner of NIOSH generally supported the discussed research program. He emphasized need for careful characterization of exposures to agents- other than asbestos and the need to assure that ted research funds are used to answer some of our major remaining scit.itifio questions about the effects of cxnosure to relatively low .levels of short asbestos fibers. William Best of NCI offered his as sin tnr.ee and asked whether or not a case-control study night be of some help. DPMC-01439 LAM 007962 Name Edward Alpaugh Edward J. Baler Otto A. Besscy, I.D. Willian Best, M.D. Hector Blejer, M.H. Kenneth Bridoord, Jack Butler, !.:). Anp.elo Ccfalo John rl. Dement John F. Finklea, M.D. Arthur Lar.ger, M.D. Willinu Lorlner, M.D. Thonas F. Mancuso, M.D. Samuel .ieyers John Moran Herb Nortliron, M.D. Arthur P.ohl, M.D. Sheldon Sanuels Irving J. Selikoff, II.D., Paul E. Toth Joseph '..'agoner, S.D. llyg. Kelli leaver, M.D. George U. '.-.'right, M.D. ATTENDEES Affiliation International Harvester Connany KIOSH - Mt. Sinai National Cancer Institute NI'OSK NIOSH NIOSH International Association of Machinist: NIOSH NIOSH . Mt. Sinai Mt. Sinai University of Pittsburgh Local 23:'/, UAH EPA Ford Motor Connany ' Mt. Sinai IUD/AFL-CIO ......... _ Mt. 'Sinai Ford Motor Gorinany NIOSH Ancrican Petroleum Institute Johns-!!anviilc DPMC-01440 LAM 007963