Document gbemM3RoV5Yk6zMVyO6Vjx09

123 E.STIEG EL STREET, MANHEIM, PENN. 17545 Raybestos0Wanhattan July 17, 1975 I. H. WEAVER CORPORATE DIRECTOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL Mr. E. W. Drislane Executive Director Friction Materials Standards Bergen Mall Office Center E. 210, Route #4 Paramus, N. J. 07652 institute, Inc. Dear Ed: Please note the attached article that appeared in the May/June issue of Public Health Reports. The second page of the article contains a reprint of a booklet titled "Brake Repair Work Can Be Hazardous to Your Health." This report, and others which have appeared recently, emphasize the need for responsible action on the part of friction materials manufacturers. Early this year, bulletins were sent to Grey-Rock and Raybestos distributors describing proper brake service procedures. However, I doubt very much that this information has gotten down to the mechanic level. It has been suggested a small card containing abbreviated instructions be placed in every box containing automotive, bus, truck, and Industrial brake linings manufactured by Raybestos-Manhattan. Tags probably would be used for roll lining. The following text is recommended: IMPORTANT _ AVOIO EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS DUST. - DO NOT USE AIR HOSE WHEN PERFORMING BRAKE SERVICE WORK OR FOR CLEANING WORK AREA. - USE VACUUM CLEANING OR WET CLEANING METHODS SUCH AS DAMP CLOTH OR OIL TREATED BRUSHES. _ DO NOT GRIND OR OTfERWISE MACHINE BRAKE LINING MATERIAL WITHOUT ADEQUATE DUST EXHAUST AND COLLECTION EQUIPMENT. I strongly recommend all FMSI member companies adopt similar policy and procedure. Very truly yours, I. H. Weaver Corporate Director Environmental Control dm -0208 FMSI 03293 The Hazards of Asbestos for Brake Mechanics RABRV CASTLEMAN. LUCILLE A. CAMAROTA, ALBERT J. FRITSCH, BUiAN MAZ20GCHI, F;>d ROBERT G. CRAWLEY ASBESTOS is the generic name of a group of hydrated magnesium silicate mineral fibers. There are two groups of these minerals--serpentine (chrysoti)e) and amptiibole (amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolitc).. Ninety-five percent of the world's asbestos production is chrysotile. Reports of epidemiologic and pathological studies (1--4) reveal that occupational exposure to commercial asbestos minerals enhances the likelihood of a number of diseases--asbestosis and cancers of the lung, pleura, peritoneum, larynx, and gastrointestinal tract. The time from onset of exposure to the time of clinically ap parent disease is usually more than 20 years. Cancer from asbestos is not limited to workers who handle the material. There are also reports of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma (tumors rarely seen in the general population) in persons with family, or neighborhood, or indirect occupational exposure to asbestos (4-7). . Mesothelioma was the cause of death of a man who had regularly sanded vinyl asbestos floor tile (3). Under simulated conditions of this man's work, a maximum asbestos dust concentration of 1.3 fibers per ml (fibers longer than 5 microns) was found in air samples passed through membrane filters worn by a person sanding vinyl asbestos (S). The type of asbestos now used in domestic floor tile is chrysolite--the same as that used in brake friction materials, according to the Asbestos Information Association. A case of mesothelioma in a brake mechanic has been reported (9). Commercial friction materials used in the United States for braking passenger cars and trucks contain an average composition of 50 percent chrysotile by weight (10). Asbestos has been used for brake drum linings, disk pads, and clutch facings foh the past 50 years. Jacko and DuCharme (11) estimated that the United Stales annually uses 103 million pounds of asbestos for brake friction materials and 4.5 million pounds in automotive clutch friction materials. In 1968 Lynch reported that because of the heat of friction caused by braking, almost all of the asbestos in brake linings is transformed to a nonfibrous mineral, and a small fraction of asbestos escapes as free fiber (12). Jacko and co-workers determined that vehicles in this country emit 158,000 pounds of asbestos per year, of which 11.2 percent is retailed in the brake and dis posed of during service (13). Brake mechanics have low and intermittent exposure to asbestos. This exposure has been reported to be 0.79 fiber per ml time-weighted average (fibers longer than 5 microns), with peaks up to 7 fibers per ml when brake parts are being cleaned (14). The standard method for removing dust from brake parts is to blow it out with a OAfr. Castlcman, an environmental engineer, was with the Center jar Science in the Public Interest when this [taper was prepared; he is now with the Maryland Public Interest Research Group. Or. Fritseh is director oj the Center Jot Science in the Public Interest- Ms. Carnarota is an occupational health nurse, District oj Columbia Department oj Human Resources. Ms. AlnZCoichi was a research associate. Environmental Cancer Research Project, Environmental Sciences Laboratory, Mount Sinai School oj Medicine, pftw Tork City. Mr. Crawley is a sanitarian, llaltimore County Department oj Health. Tenrsherl requests to Parry Castlanan, Maryland Public Interest Research Group, J110 jYcw AIam Dining Hall, University oj Maryland, College Park, Aid. 20742. 254 Public Hoellh noports FMSI 03294 compicvscd air hose. In 1970 several reports ( t-l~ 1$) cjesciibrrl the levels of exposure of brake nierlianics to asbestos, alter native friction materials, and specific changes in brake repair practices whiih would retluec the levels of exposure. Baltimore and Washington Studies In December 1972, the Baltimore Cmmiv Department of Health mailed a I-page mimeographed circular to about 130 establishments which provide brake repair service. These businesses included new car and truck dealerships, certified motor vehicle inspection stations, and other concerns advertising brake repair as a specialty. Some of the establishments initially con tacted had either gone out of business or replied that , they do not do brake repairs. The circular warned that inhalation of the dust from brake cleaning could cause serious diseases, including cancer, and advised vacuuming brakes of accumulated dust. Additional measures suggested were improved ventilation and the use of face masks (19). Two student volunteers went to 100 or the places on the mailing list 4 months later to ask shop managers what methods they were using in brake repair. A similar study was started in Washington, D.C., in August 1973. This work was conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the District of Columbia Department of Human Resources. Of 186 brake service establishments initially contacted, 120 were followed up. Several new methods were tried in order to improve the effectiveness of the warning. The warning leaflet was more eye-catching and readable than the paragraph-form sheet used in Baltimore; the leaflets were handed out by an occupational health nurse to the mechanics themselves--none were mailed; and followup to ascertain the degree of effectiveness was conducted by the same nurse who interviewed the repair shop managers. The Washington study was also featured in a local television program at the time the leaflets were first handed out. fmtrtM KuMCan rWJ k .!> bom w-k* I <r |< tor * W-. >** %**1 Iri. 1 * **'>'*ik.<** V0JH>yt*iuciUs *v-.f* !.* w*~ t~ *<> * ul. bO*Vt to* >. h, * tOmMOirlrb M Mtl H'll *>4 to*-**. ok. f.4 mV <* rim H **< ' nIk. r.Ukrrlt.M H.tw-fi,' BRAKE REPAIR WORK CAN Hi iitjanicui W YOUR HEALTH (laV k* ViMtr > * (?r* Oort V-rri. * t V>* lHa' in* toll-*# tfT.o~.-X l (4..tWkI. WH< 4Ij i inii mov hit. 14r. S To assure that students trained hr brake repair by public vocational schools would learn proper methods, health ollivials met with appropriate school officials in both locations. At the time they were contacted, school officials in Baltimore and Washington reported that the Schools were teaching (he "blow out" method of brake dust removal to the trainees. The standard method of cleaning brakes is "blowing out" with a compressed air hose. In Baltimore, 63 per cent (05 per 100) of the brake repair establishments contacted were using this method at the time they received the warning circulars. In Washington, tlic figure was 91 percent (110 of 120). Most of the managers and workers interviewed had never heard about the hazardous potential of brake dust. Predict ably, the responses ranged from annoyance to apprecia tion. Of the 65 places in Baltimore initially blowing out brakes, 11 were using either vacuum or wet brushing methods at the time of followup. Four others were still blowing out brakes, but had improved ventilation or provided dust masks, or both, to reduce workers' ex posures. In Washington, only two establishments had changed to wet brushing, hut none were vacuuming brakes. Four others provided face masks. Interestingly, two others decided to change brake shoes in all brake repairs, thereby simplifying the problem of dust removal and reducing the mechanics' exposures. The degree of improvement, indexed by the percent-, age of establishments converting from blowing out brakes to safer techniques after a single warning, was 23 percent in Baltimore County and 7 percent in Washington. This disparity probably arises more from differences in the methods of the studies than from differences in the study groups. It may be critically important to approach manage ment at the outset in order to enlist the cooperation needed to implement any changes in practice. A mechanic who is approached directly with a warning may simply disregard it. The mechanic might reason that if the dust were really dangerous, ther e would be a law requiring the use or preferred methods in brake repair. And the employer, if not asked to participate from the beginning, may well conclude that he need not be concerned vviih the matter. The failure to involve management may be the main reason why the Washington study produced less gratifying results than the Baltimore study. Brake warning programs consisting merely of mailed warning notices require tittle manpower, compared to other health programs. Also, the effort to implement safe techniques in public vocational schools is time well spent. Conclusion * Over a 7-year period ending in 1976 ( 20,211, the U S. standard lor lime-averaged exposure to asbestos will have been reduced from 5 million particles per cubic Muy-Juno 1975. Vol. 90. No. 3 955 FMSI 03295 , foot uf air to 2 fibers per ml (fibers longer than 5 ' tjlicnms). For asbestos textile plains, ibis rccbu iion is about 15-fotU [22). I'rcscnt and stlicduled siaiulni'ds claim'only to protect workers against nsbestosis, the a disease for which the dose-response relationship is most C|uatitilalivcly known. The British standards for chrysotilc and nmosile asbestos, which are comparable to the asbestos standard scheduled to take effect in the United Slates in 1976, do not purport to provide protec tion against increased risk of cancer (23,2!). Previously studied cohorts of asbestos workers were exposed to time-averaged concentrations greater than 2 fibers per ml (fibers longer than 5 microns). Current studies of cohorts with lime-averaged exposure on the order of I fiber per ml (greater than 5 microns in length) may provide evidence of hazard at that level. In view of alarming preliminary findings of pulmonary fibrosis in such a cohort, the National Institute of Oc cupational Safety and Health has suggested to the fI Department of Labor that consideration be given to further lowering of the-asbestos standard (25). The average brake mechanic is not aware of the potential hazard of airborne brake dust. Nor is he quick to change time-hardened habits when warned of dangers if he cannot feel their effects. Nonetheless, sub stantial reduction in asbestos exposures during brake repair can be achieved by simple changes in technique, with the use of equipment already available in most brake service establishments. In view of the tendency of the accumulating literature to reveal cancer induction from asbestos at progressive ly lower levels of exposure, mechanics should be ad vised not to blow out brake parts and to use instead methods which create less airborne dust. The manufac turers of automotive friction materials could easily at tach a clear hazard warning to every item sold. The limited success of both the Baltimore and Washington studies shows the limited efficacy of volun tary compliance with health warnings--the shop managers and the mechanics simply do not have the same regard for a warning that they have for a rcgula. tion. The margin of safety, if any, provided by the current asbestos standards has been sharply criticized as insufficient (26). While it is advisable that brake mechanics at least be warned of the potential hazard of their work, it is also apparent that blowing out brakes will be a common practice so long as health regulations permit it. Rtf(rentes t. Cooper, tV. C., ei ,il.: Asbestos--the need for and feasibility of air pollution controls. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, P.C., 1971. . 2 SdikofT, I. J., Hiiinmond, E. C.. ami Clung, J.: Mortality ex* pcrience* of asbestos insulation workers. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Pneumoconiosis, Johannesburg, !%V, edited by II. A. Shapiro. Oxford University Press. Capetown, Smith Africa, 197(1, pp. IHl)--J86. J. Strll, I*. M., and McGill, T.: Asbestos and laryngeal can-inonia. Camel 2: 416-117, Aug. 25, 1073. 1 Nrwhmisc. M. L., and Thompson. II : Mesothelioma i| the pleura ami prt in memo following exposutr to asbestos in the l.tui tion area, hr J hid Med 22. 261 -269 .>. I.iebcn, J., and Pistawk.i. II : Mesothelioma and n>besim ex posure. Are!) Environ Health 14: 5VJ-|>63 (1967). ( Wagner, J. 0., Nlrggs. C A., and Maichaiul, Y. Diffuse pleural mesothelioma anil ndicslos exposure in the .North Western ('ape Province. Hr J Iml Med 17; 2311-271 (I960). 7. Uahjurn, I*., Dobbert, A. h\, and Min/, I.; Epidemiologic drr Plcuramrsothelioma. VorliiufigcT Bericht viber 119 Falle aus drm Hamburger. Katun Prax Pnettmol 23: >17 -- 338 (I960). A'. Murphy, U L., ct at Ploor tile installation as a source of asbestos exposure. Am Kev Ke<pir l)is U/T. 376--580, October 1971. 9. Sullivan, R. J., and Athnnassiadis, Y. C ; Preliminary air pollu tion survey of asbestos National Air Pollution Control Ad ministration, APTD 69--27. Raleigh, N.G., I960, p. 32. 10. Harwood, C.: Asbestos air pollution from the wear of brake linings. Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute. Chicago, April 1972. 11. Jacko, M.G., ami DuChartnc, R.T.: Brake emissions: emission measurements from brake and clutch linings from rejected mobile sources. Environmental Protection Agency Report 68TM-W20. Ann Arbor, 1973. 12. Lynch, J.: lhake lining decomposition products. J Air Pollul Control Assoc 18; 82-1-826 (1968). JJ. Jacko, M. G., DuCharmc, R. T., and joiners, J. H.: Brake and clutch emissions during vehicle operation. Paper presented at Society of Automotive Engineers Meeting,'Detroit, May' 1973. 14. Hickish, 1). E., and Knight, K. L.: Exposure to asbestos during brake maintenance. Ann Occup Hyg 13; 17--21 (1970). 15. Hatch, D.: Possible alternatives to asbestos as a friction material Ann Occup Hyg 13: 25-29 (1970). 10. Knight, K. L,, and Hickish, D. E.: Investigations into alternative forms of control fur dust generated during the cleaning of brake assemblies and drums. Ann Occup Hyg 13; 37--39 (1970). 17. Lee, G. L.: Removing dusts from brake assemblies during vehicle servicing--alternative cleaning methods. Ann Occup Hyg 13: 33-36 (1970). 18. Bentley, M. L.: Control of the use of asbestos-containing friction materials. Ann Occup Hyg 13: 31--32 (1970). 19. U.S. Senate, Committee on Commerce: Toxic Substances Con trol Act of 1973. Hearings before the Environment Subcom mittee. Statement of B Cattleman. 93d Cong. U.S, Government Printing Office, Washington, U.C., 1973, pp. H7, 349--350 20. Guenther, G. C.: Emergency standard for exposure to asbestos dust. Federal Register, vol. 36, No. 234, Dec. 7, 1971, pp. 23207-23208. 21. Guenther, G. G.: Standard for exposure to asbestos dust. Federal Register, vol. 37, No. 110, June 7, 1972, pp. 11318- 11322. 22. Lynch, J. R., Ayer, M. E., and Johnson. D. L.: The in* lerrdationship of selected asbestos exposure indices. Ain Ind Hyg Assoc J 12: 598-601 (197U). 21. Hygiene standard for thrysntile astxrsios dust. Ann Occup Hyg II:'47-49 (1968). 2-1. Hygiene standards for airborne antositc asbestos dust. Ann Oc cup Hyg 16; 1-3 (1973). 25. Key, M. M.: Reopening of asbestos standard Memorandum loj. SirwJrr, Assistant Secretary of Labor, Occupational .Safely and Health Administration Offiec of Technical PuMic.tciuris, National Institute for Occupational Safely ami Health, Kotkvillc, Md . March 28, 1974. Jb`. Gee. 11., and Ilouhuys, A.: Action on asbestos. N Engl J Med 285: 1317-1318, Dec. 2, 1971. 256 Public Hoallh noporta FMSI 03296 r Preventive Health Care Men with long experience as brake mechanics should have a physical ex amination at least once a year and preferably every six months. This should include a chest X-ray. The examining physician should be informed of the man's job and his exposure to asbestos. If you have, or have had, exposure to asbestos, cigarette smoking is particu larly bad. If you smoke, stop. How You May Contact Us Please let us know what action you are taking, what ideas you may have to offer, and what problems you encounter in following our suggestions for making your workplace safer. Contact: Center for Science in the Public Interest 1779 Church Street, N.W. Washington, D. C. 20036 (202) 332-6000 BRAKE REPAIR WORK GAN BE UagaritcuA TO YOUR HEALTH District of Columbia Department of Human Resources Community Health and Hospital Administration Occupational and Employee Health Program Center for Science in the Public Interest FMSI 03297 What Are The Hazards? Brake linings contain large amounts of asbestos fiber, a substance harmful to your body. The risk of lung-.'cancer for people who smoke ancf work with asbestos is 92-times greater than for people who neither smoke nor work with asbestos. Among a number of groups of asbes tos workers,, one out of every five deaths is due to lung cancer. The risk of .a serious lung disease, called asbestosis, and cancer of other body sites is about the same for smokers and nonsmokers alike who. work with asbestos. . At present, it is not known what level of exposure to asbestos, if any, is safe. Even a small amount may be dangerous in some- circumstances. Asbestos-related disease usually takes 20 to 30 years from the time of exposure to become evident. Work ing with asbestos for even a short time could result in asbestos-related disease later on. Dos & Don'ts For Your Protection To protect yourself and others in your workplace against this hazardous sub stance: DON'T clean brake assemblies and drums- with an air hose. . (Fiber dusts.. generated by this method are danger ously high.) V DON'T brush or, by any other method, raise dust. DO vacuum out all the fiber you can. DO wet-wash the parts with paintbrush and kerosene.. DO use a protective mask when ex posure to asbestos dust cannot be avoided. Several companies manufac ture disposable masks, costing from $.50 to $1.50. For information on where these may be purchased locally, call the Center for Science in the Public Interest at (202) 332-6000. FMSI 03298 Mr. E. H. Feierabend Friction Products Group Abex Corporation Winchester*, Va. 22601 Ar, Stuart Comins Auto Friction Corporation 651 Andover Street Lawrence, Mass. 01842 Mr. D. E. Stone Friction Materials Division Bendix Corporation P. 0. Box 238 Troy, New York 12131 Mr. 'William Simon Srassbestos Manufacturing Corp. 45 East 5th Street Paterson, New Jersey 07524 Mr. Harry '.Vagner Carlisle Corporation Molded Materials Division P. 0. Box P Ridgway, Pa. 15853 Mr. R. J. Kick Staff Engineer Products Service Delco-Moraine Division General Motors Corporation 1420 Wisconsin Boulevard Bayton, Ohio 45401 Mr. F. T. Gatke Gatke Corporation 228 North La Salle Street Chicago, Illinois 60601 Mr. F, C. Skelton Grizzly Friction Products tvlammont Corporation 700 West Caroline Street Peulding, Ohio 45879 Mr. Carl Zahler Hayes-Albion Corporation Friction Products Plant P.O. Box 3190 C.R.S. Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 Mr. T. J. Laher Lasco Brake Products Corporation, Ltd. 2615 Magnolia Street Oakland, California 94-607 ^ Ml Mr. Murrell Amos Molded Industrial Friction Corp. 327 Walnut Street Prattville, Ala. 36707 Mr. Ab Lechter-Lopez H. K. Porter Co., |nc. Thermoid Division 601 Grant Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 Mr. J. H. Marsh Raybestos-Manha11an, Inc. 40Q-0akviewBri Trumbull, Connecticut 06611 Mr. F. W. Barton, Jr. Reddaway Mfg. Co., Inc. 32 Euclid Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07105 Mr. IV. M. Sleeth Royal Industries Brake Products Stewart Lane Danville, Kentucky 40422 Mr. J. A. Penberthy Safeeuard Manufacturing Corp. P. 07 Box 985 " Tappahannock, Virginia 22560 Mr. J. Gallagher Thiokol Chemical Corporation Panelyte Industrial Division Enterprise Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08604 Mr. G. A. Carrigan The S. K. Wellman Corporation 200 Egbert Road Bedford, Ohio 44146 Mr. Lea Burgess Tri-State Industrial Supply , (Wheeling Brake Block) 3600-3608 Jacob Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 A FMSl 03299 T