Document dYGE53neY36b2B90Ow1567j0

FILE NAME: Z< DATE: DOC#: Z< DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION EZZ^ 2 Need to consider that brake dust particulate from asbestos and other fibers used in frictior materials usually differs from particulate found in manufa<turing of friction products most brake dust particulate that can become airborne would not be picked up from sampling/aralysis under an OSHA inspection. \ 1 \f"lI(\~ ~ of this particulate is undel 3000 AO in length and behaves aerodynamically much likE a gas. This particulate may not be biologically inert. lmong garage mechanics, routine exposures of large amounts of fine brake dust may take its toll. Whatever the merits or circumstarces of recent litigation over occupational cancers relatec to brake dust, we feel it is prudent to promote sound work procedures and control measures during the performance ef drum brake work. As envisioned, EPA's brake mechar ic education program will develop a videotape, a fact shee1 , and a poster to reach shop operators, mechanics, and vo/tect students. we invite interested organizations to assi~t in the dissemination of the se materials when they are con pIe ted \'I',,~i!\P III Other durable respirable fiters trend to substitute for asbestos in brakes: various substitute brake lining materials are in USE or under development Problem: finding ma terials WhOSE pe rformance is comparable to asbestos, but which are eithel inert or not as active biologically Initial laboratory testing for hEalth effects of some of these substitute materials may bE promising; for others, there may be cause for concern substitution for substitution's ~ake alone is not the answer relatively little is known about health effects of some of these substitute materials and v:rtually nothing is known as to how dust from brakes lined with these materials is composed chemically and physically Non-respirable materials during ranufacture may become highly respirable as a result of degradction from friction 'J."#' Need for studies of these matericls as they occur~in manufacturing and as brake dust - only two known studies of biological activity of dust from asbestos lined brakes: Gross and Davies I ...., v'P(i ~..rUu.d/J 'f-S f c~/ ~f- l'hVU/Y~ 3 Need to start conducting stu'd"ies of biological effects of dust from brakes lined with substitute materials and consider these effects as brake linings al: e developed, lest we find ourselves with unexpected disease among mechanics and others in 10, 20, and 30 years these studies should be part of the development process for the sake of public health and prctection against product liability Lu...~ insurance :i:-s. an issue for the ast estos industry and the asbestos abatement industry - cOlld become a parallel in the friction products industry EPA is in the process of gatherinJ health and exposure data on these substitute materials anc welcomes your sharing with us plans and results of any relev~nt studies