Document gDmzERbYe1gO8z0ZRb9488989

of the ASBESTOS STUDY COMMITTEE Thursday, February 10, 1972, at 9:30 A.M. at the Institute Office, E-210 Route #4, Paramus, N.J. 07652 MEMBERS PRESENT I. H. Weaver, Chairman J. c. Henning W. B. Reitze M.G. Jacko (for W. Spurgeon) J,B. Graham Raybestos-Manhatt.an, Inc. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., World Bestos Division Johns-Manville Corporation Bendix Corporation Bendix Research Laboratories Carlisle Corporation Molded Materials Division NOT PRESENT E. H. Feierabend OTHERS PRESENT Abex Corporation American Brakeblok Division E, W. Dr islane Friction Materials Standards Institute The meeting was called to order by Mr. Weaver, Chairman, at 9:30A.M. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The Secretary read a summary of the minutes of the meeting held September 15, 1971. These minutes had been released, and a motion for their acceptance was entertained. Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, it was RESOLVED; to accept the minutes of the September 15, 1971 meeting as distributed. MEETING AT DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, JANUARY 26, 1972 A brief review was read of the activities at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) session held in Washington on January 26, 1972. Mr. Matt Swetonic of J-M attended this session, and the Secretary su~marized what Mr. Swetonic had told him as follows: OSHA previously had emphasized safety - now the emphasis is on health- five industrial substances are under attack (asbestos, silica, lead, cotton dust and carbon monoxide). Our immediate FMSI 06339 Minutes of Asbestos Study Committee Meeting February 10, 1972 concern is asbestos. OSHA is suggesting voluntary set-up of indus~ry committees working with trade associations. Industry representatives indicated that cooperation should be based on reasonable standards. The proposed standard is 5 fibers/cc (OSHA is apparently considering reducing the standard to 2 fibers/cc). ASBESTOS EXPOSl.RE STANDARDS The proposed standard by OSHA is now 5 fibers per cc. A fiber must have a 3/1 length/diameter ratio, with the length 5 microns or greater to be considered a fiber. This size can be screened with the optical microscope. Dr. Jacko noted that there were studies concerning asbestos fibers in the less than 5 micron length by electron microscopy. _The British Asbestos Regulations of 1969 were discussed. They have a concentration of less than 2 fibers/cc (sampled over a 10 minute period) as being satisfactory, with allowances on 2 to 12 fibers/cc (sampled over a 4 hour period} depending on how much the sample exceeds the 2 fibers/cc 1 imit. See copy of pages 4-5 of Control & Safety Guide 8. At 12 fibers/cc, the plants could be shut down. For reference: The Asbestosis Research Council "Asbestos Based Friction Materials and Asbestos Reinforced Resinous Moulded Compounds," Control and Safety Guide #8. Environmental Control Committee, Secretary 114 Park Street London, England WIY-4AB. BRITISH FRICTION MATERIALS COUNCIL The Secretary advised {hat the British Council had submitted comments to the Illinois Pollution Control Board and had indicated {through Mr. Bob Gibson of Mintex and Mr. Harry Jones of Ferodo at the SAE January meeting) their interest in being informed on the . status of asbestos regulations in the u~s. Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, it was RESOLVED: to inform the British Council of all regulations known to the Friction Materials Standards Institute, and to forward minutes of our meetings to the Br it ish Council. LIAISON WITH~~ESTOS_1M1lliMAliP.N_A$_SOQJATION OF NORTH AMERICA (AIA/NA) It was noted that Mr. Matt Swetonic, now with Johns-Manville, will become Executive Secretary of the AIA/NA. It was recommended that the FMSI maintain contact with the AIA/NA concerning any matters involving asbestos in brake linings, asbestos in the work-place,etc. - 2- FMSI 06340 Minutes of Asbes~bs Study.''li"ll)!1lit_tee Meeti.f.lg .\: ~~ j:~~ruary ~!:4--...1972 ... OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) Mr. Weaver discussed some of the background for the proposed OSHA Standards for Exposure to Asbestos Dust. Proposed rule making for these standards appeared in the Federal Register of December 7, 1971 and January 12, 1972. (Copies were distributed by the Institute by mail to members of the Asbestos Study Committee) Mr. Weaver is the Industry representative on the Advisory Committee for Asbestos Standards set up under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. He advised that while the proposed standards are for 5 fibers/cc time weighted average airborne concentration of asbestos dust, the others on the Advisory Committee may push for 2 fibers/cc. OSHA will apparently enforce these regulations and if experience in related safety enforcement is any criteria, fines or plant closings may be used for enforcement purposes. While it is currently too late to presen.t written comments, the hearings are to be held on March 14, 1972 in Washington. In order to be heard, a person must file a notice of intention to appear no later than March 3, 1972. The notice must state name, address, approximate time required for presentation, and a statement must be included indicating the position to be taken by the individual. The Chairman and Mr. Reitze indicated that these OSHA regulations were now of prime importance 'to manufacturers of asbestos brake linings and clutch facings, and the Secretary was directed to inform the membership concerning the proposed standards. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) The EPA's emphasis in iheir proposed emission standards for asbestos did not use numerical limits on airborne asbestos, but concentrated on filters and collectors- control practices. While these are important to all manufacturers of asbestos brake linings, they are practices and standards which, at this time, seem reasonable. The OSHA Standards are the more immediate problem. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY- EMISSIONS FBOM ASBESTOS BRAKE LININGS Dr. Jacko advised that the Bendix Corporation's studies for the EPA on emissions from brake linings may not be complete on schedule, and that Bendix had requested a time extension on this work that would move their final report back into the fall of 1972. Dr. Jacko indicated that the maximum asbestos fiber in brake lining debris is running about 1%. STUD[NT PAPER - !ULQLQGJCAL EFFEQIS OF ASBESTOS ON THE HUMAN ORGANISM Copies of a term paper by Miss Beth Krull, Chemistry Junior at Mundelein College in Chicago were distributed to the membership. It would appear that this paper may be an interesting source of medical - 3- FMS' 06341  .. Minutes of Asbestos Study Committee Meeting FebrJary 10, 1972 bibliography concerning asbestos. (The paper was forwarded to the Institute by Mr. J. Greenan, President of F.M.S.I.) EQUIPMENT FOR MEASURING AIRBORNE ASBESTOS CONCENTRATIONS Mr. Reitze discussed the equipment necessary for m~asuring asbestos concentrations. The test is run with a vacuum pump pulling fibers into a filter which is then examined under optical microscopy. (Mr. Reitze discussed the equipment and procedures in more detail in an afternoon session) Dr. Jacko said that the sub-5 micron asbestos fibers were being examined with electron microscopy. He felt that as far as airborne fibers were concerned, these sub-5 micron fibers might be targets of the regulators in the future. Mr. Graham asked whether there were any automatic equipment for measuring the asbestos concentrations- either in existence or planned. It was stated that the EPA had made a Request for Proposal for design of equipment for automatic measurement, but apparently they received no response. As of now, optical microscopy with the membrane filter is the only recognized method. ASBESTOS STUDY COMMITTEE - FUfi.RE COURSE The members indicated that the Committee should exist for screening and passing on information to the members. They do not feel the Committee should be used as a vehicle to comment directly on regulations proposed by the various Federal and State agencies. Further, it is felt that individual company responses to OSHA or EPA or others (such as Illinois Pollution Control Board) are more effective, particularly those from the smaller manufacturers. Unless directed to prepare responses to government agencies by the geheral membership, the Committee will not assume this responsibility. Some members felt that the "Asbestos Study Committee" would have to expand beyond asbestos - such as into silica, resinous by-products, etc. As of now, the prime target is to be asbestos, but other materials, if considered of importance to the members, will be studied. , Another suggestion was that the Committee consider a membership survey on the methods for disposing of brake lining grinding dust. The Committee members do not plan on regular meetings, and if the Chairman or members feel a meeting is called for they will contact the Secretary to arrange the meeting. - 4- FMSI 06342 Minutes of Asbestos Study Committee Meeting February 10, 1972 OTHER BUSINESS Dr. M. Jacko requested that his name be added to the Asbestos Study Committee mailing list, in addition to that of Dr. Spurgeon. It was suggested that other manufacturers of brake 1inings, outside the membership, be advised of these proposed standards by OSHA. Summaries of the afternoon's presentation by Mr. Reitze will be distributed to the membership. ******* Upon mot ion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, it wc;~s RESOLVED: to adjourn. Adjourned at 12:00 noon cc: Committee Members J. Greenen L. Stickles British Council AIA/NA E. W. Drislane Executive Secretary - 5- FMSI 06343