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ANCHOR DRAKE SHOES--ASBESTOS EMISSIONS August 08, 1977 R. H. Alber Sales .fcferager ANCHOR Brake Shoes ''dny of cur customers have asked us about the dangers of a;:;;tos in our brake shoes during use. This concern resulted from v.ldzzrread publicity in the press concerning asbestos and its effect the general health. V/e have answered the questions by quoting conclusions from :: .lies conducted by industrial concerns ar.d government agencies. Tr.-ss .all conclude that the dust emitted from brake linings is not a significant source of asbestos in the environment. Brake linings in am:; contain up to 55% asbestos but the fiber is locked into the linings -ich . various resins and polymers. When brakes are applied high temperatures generated from friction change the chemical nature of as'oes::; into a nor.-fibrous material known as "forsterite".. Studies have Mown that brake lining dust contains only traces of free asbestos fiber. Since railroad brake shoes contain only 1/5 as much asbestos, the danger is even less. ' Asbestos fiber health hazards are confined mainly to industrial workers. The risk comes from inhalation of excessive amounts of asbestos' dust over a period of many years. Some long time enployees have developed cancer. With today's improved dust control technology, there is every reason to believe that asbestos related disease will tease to be an occupational problem. (O.S.K.A. Standards now prohibit asbestos * fiber levels above 2 5+ micron fibers per cm3 of air in a plant.) The basis of the above opinions came from the following sources:(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 Association 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." ivjo CJ'-J.Oo.lL/MS 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. . ' 3- :|Brake Lining Decomposition Products'1 Jeremiah R. Lynch National Center for Urban and Industrial Health, U.S. Public Health Service, Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, Vol. i8, No. 12, P? 824-826, 1$8. 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 seme other mineral as a result of the extrsne temperatures generated at small spots on the lining surface. . * - 4. "Brake and Clutch Emissions Generated During Vehicle Operation" Jacko, EuCharme, & Somers. S.A.E. Meeting, May 14-18, 1973; caper No. 7305^8. (A more completed detailed report is E.P.A. 68-04-0020 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 99-7? 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 14-18, 1973 Paper No. 7305^9- ' ' These Ford engineers conducted their studies on a brake lining dynamometer, using automobile disc brakes. Analysis was made using a transmission electron microscope. Lesi 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. The dust emitted from auto brake linings Is not a significant source of asbestos in the environment. 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.3. Tne Product Loss Control Committee recommended that the AMSTED legal department approve any letter concerning safety prior to sending out to our salesmen. ANCHOR BRAKE SHO ASBESTOS EMISSIC March 15, 1978 Mr. W. E. Miss' Engineer, Car Construction Mechanical Department Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Co. 503 Water Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Dear Mr. Mims: . This letter and the attachments are ir. response to your request for information regarding lead and asbestos in our ANCHOR Com position Brake Shoes. The contents of the attachments are as follows: ^A report entitled " ANCHOR Brake Shoes, Asbestos Emiasons". This report dated August 8, 1577, 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. / 7 2. A letter dated January 30, 1578 from Mr. Fleck outlining the findings of Ryckman, Edgerley, Tomlinson and Associates, regarding lead and asbestos endssions 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 3rako 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: r. P. Kostka Chief Patent Attorney AMSTED Industries SCP, RDF, DBW, FILE, BOOK CSXT 41M63 As we discussed by telephone, I would appreciate a copy of the letter from v_r. G. w. 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/ljm ATT. Very' truly yours. K' K/- A. H. Alber Sales Manager ANCHOR Brake Shoes cc: F. Kostka Chief Patent Attorney AHSTED Industries SCt, RDr, DBW, FILE, BOOK CSKT 418M4