Document pB6yX9L1x09yG3VrY26BwM1XX

FILE NAME: Trade Publications (TR) DATE: 1977 Mar DOC#: TR016 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Trade Journal Article - Beware of Brake Dust E (v ' ;- v rx i By Bob Coillo Beware of Brake Dust! MOST MECHANICS CO a b o u t the task of cleaning brake and clutch dust knowing that whil# doing the job they are inhaling some of this duat It has heen general knowledge that linings and pads art made on the average nf 60 to 60 percent asbestos. However, post studies have led u* to believe that the asbestos fiber was locked into other materials in the lining and that a change due to the high heat of friction took place during braking or dutch application. This transformed the ubeston fiber into a non-toxic, nnn-flbrous material called forsterite The conclusion then was that the dust was harmless. Studies conducted by the ML Sinai School of Medicine in New York City indicate that brake dust may actually contain an average of 3 to 6 percent asbestos with some test showing concentrations as high as 15 percent. Samples of air were taken under actual working condition* in a Uxi-flcct garxgo and a N.Y. Dept, of Sanitation truck repairshup. Those samples were analyzed by electron microscopy and 74 Flf 2. NEVER BLOW OFF dirt from a brake atiambiy with an ir gun. After vacuuming. uae needy-dry demp rg revealed levels of airborne asbestos considerably higher than those perm itted by federal law. It should he noted th at during the testing In the truck repairshop grinding of brake shoes was carried o u t Tho w ork of the recarcher at ML Sinai was diseoased at a meeting of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) where the results of physical examination^ given to 90 men who had been working as automobile and trackbrake repairmen for a period of 10 y ean were examined. Of this small group the docto n stated that X-ray examinations showed that over onequarter had tigne of abnormalities consistent with ubertosi* discus; the same tests revealed that one quarter had also restricted pulmonary (hmg) Emo tions. This evidence prompted NIOSH to issue as alert to the automobile repair industry indicating that while the full extent of asbeetoe-related dineesa in braks-eerviee personnel is not known because this occupational group has not been aystematicaUf studied up to now, enough scientific data baa been accumulated to point out the need to start Imo** diate control measures so th at the health hassrd of I ubaste can be minimised. There is ho doebt that a health hazard exists a" that exposure to ubaste* fibers can increase th* ri** mfiuued oh peg* ^ MOTOR, M arch 1977 TF-187 OHRY*UW * 4268 i'JL e2 '9 5 e e ; 53 FR LlTiGflTlQN_ Dg=T. w.< : <xnraiJBi4rawi'VT3mWJ8IHEBtiBB8l63&9r Bwar of Brake Dust! cnnlmind /rum paye 7i of developing four diseases: asbestos:--i non-malignant carring lung condition; cancar of the lung; cancer of the digestive tract and mcsothelioma-a cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. There are tom e au th o ritiei and o th er studies that place the percentage of asbestos in brake dust at i much lower level th in those reported by the Mt. Sinai gToup and disagree with its findings. All authorities agree that no m atter how small the concentration of asbestos In brake and dutch dust, '.here is an immediate need to initiete work practices in sve-y shop that will eliminate any risk to the health, of mechanics. The danger is associated with drilling, grinding and cutting of brake linings. The dust generated during these operations must be collected in e vacuum-recovery system th at has a high-effidency filter. Many older grinders either have no recovery system or ire equipped with vacuums th at allow tiny particles of asbestos fiber to be blown into the air. Buying pre-ground 6hocs will minimize the need for grinding. Where possible, e separete area should be set aside for brake and dutch work and a sign posted at the entrance that reads; ASBESTOS DUST HAZARD. AVOID BREATHING DUST. WEAR ASSIGNED PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. DO NOT REMAIN IN AREA UNLESS YOUR WORK REQUIRES IT. BREATHING ASBESTOS DUST MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. Duet should n tv e r be rem oved from a brake or clutch assembly with an air blowgun or by brushing. The only w iy to safely d ean dust containing asbesto is with as indoetrial-type vacuum with a high efficiency filtering lyetem (Fig. 1). Don't uee one of your wife's old vicuum d e e n e n because It probably wilt do more barm than good. The fine particles of asbestos will pass through most vacuum cleaners and you will end up with a higher concen tration of asbestos than you would h avt if you hadn't used the vacuum a t aQ. The vacuum you buy ahould have a 99-percent efficiency for OJ micrometers diameter aerosols. If there is any remaining duet that w u not removed by vacuuming, wash it off using s slightly damp rag. Under no drcurastances should you use an air gun or dry brush (Fig. S). 76 240 512 4885 TO 810139658252 p.& i/es There is no point in being careful about vacuuming the dust if, when you empty the vacuum cleaner bag, the dust blows all around you and the shop. Brake and dutch dust should be disposed of in a special plastic bag marked as follows CAUTION: CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS. AVOID BREATHING DUST. BREATHING A8BE8TOS DU8T MAY CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM. Even using a hlgh-cfilciency industrial vacuum eleaner will not prevent a email amount of dust from reaching some noee* and mouths which will inhale it To prevent this, you should w ear an air-purifying respirator of either the throwaway type like those used in body shops or one with a replaceable particu late filter. Before you buy cither type, be sure that it is approved by NIOSH or the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration. W eir the respirator while you a rt operating a grinder, drilLor when emptying the dust collection begs on your' vacuum deaner. There is bound to bo som e brake and clutch dust that falls to the floor while you are working, to be sure to use an industrial vacuum cleaner to pick it up. Don't sweep this part of the ihop with e broom. A broom h u the tendency to flick the asbesto particles up into the air and th a t is where they art dangerous. The rest is common sense: It' your ihop h u heavy accumulation of dust on lockers, pan shelves, overhead door channels, beams and on window sills there Is a good chance that dust contains some ubestos. Wear your respirator and use your vacuum deaner to go over all those hidden placet carefully and dean up the dust. Change yoor work clothes regularly and don't bring them home Have them washed by an industrial laundry. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating and avoid eating in the area where you do brake and dutch work. Every shop, larg e o r em ail, la responsible for meeting the requirement of the federal law which calls for industrial hygiene inspections carried out by OSHA representatives.. Under this law the lrvel of asbestos shall not exceed 2 fibers longer than 9 micrometers per cubic centimeter of air. (For a list of these firms send a self-addreeied tamped p * 1* card in an envelope to: Asbestos, MOTOR, ltt Broadway, New York, NY 10019.) Research has determined th a t smoking increase* the rat of lung cancer among people exposed to ubestos dust In short, if you have been workinf around brakes and dutches for several years, >* would be wise to give up imoldng. eonh'nwd on pc9* * M O T O R . M a rc h 1977 \ The Tre practice custom helps e; when cl provide edge. ar TRW comp, availeb Chassi: best of Progra8001 E Cleyele kOTOR. CHRYSLER 425 ,ed'.' Miyh e you did? 11r In even broken *t p < 'tchem .t course i of your knowledge ator? And ment docs mce on tii* is you hive :ty in your equipment orkenr and n with this bmnd-new ' signs Just vice Induss. The eyer octagonal uij sufetv JUL 02 '5 9 0 6 :54 PR U I T h T IO n D?T geware of Brak* Dusl! continued from pop 7C 24S 512 U it gratifying to n o t * th a t a g re a t doal of money and time U being spent by brake and dutch lining manufacturer* to deal with this problem. In Edition to OSHA's specific requirements for a label, one firm has included useful extra precautions on the warning label on vary box of brake lining and dutch facings it sells. This tarn* firm has recom mended procedures for radudng asbcsto6 dust during brake service in their service manual and In a gaining film. In the final analysis you ar th* only one who can protect yourself from the potential dangers of exposure to asbestos dust. If you wear a respirator or mask, use an approved brake vacuum cleaner, dispose of the dust in the prescribed manner, vacuum the floors and use good common sense about house cleaning, there is little to fear from the presence of asbestos dust. The few extra precautions involved could prevent you from contracting a vary painful if not fatal disease. S tart tomorrow to elaan up your a c t . . . you owe it to y o u nalf, your family ind your fellow workers. How to Promote Your Servtoe Department wntin \ied from pagt l i paint situation er at your 1 spraying "he storage well apart Me a well wiring. ns, product uo follow in hazards in ot on every ement that . ial use only ing proper us by the t of all th i- ;' after* o?>t u'.:..g good ante In th* abets say * complisb 8 ir custom*' lish this J^ the dime wi!> be favorably impressed and may become customers in the future. A clinic of this type invariably uncovers the need for much service work, md the dealer should get a substantial share of this work. The best prom otion w on't b effective unless the service department can deliver what it promises. Among the most frequent customer complaint* are: work not done when promised, ears not repaired properly and high cost of repairs. Most dealerships will make good on a job if the work is performed improperly or a part is defective. These "w arran ties" arc usually informal In natura, hot some dealers have plans that are tpeciflc and widely sdvertised. Your shop equipment ean also be an important merchandising tool An optical wheel-alignment machine, for example, projects a "picture" of the front-end letup of a customer's ear. Few owners understand the pattern of an oscilloscope, but meet v impressed by the dealer's willingness to Invest in tech sophisticated equipment and train his techni cians in its operation. Finally, never forget th a t yo u r best merehan- dittri are your shop peraonnsl They need not be bifh-pressure talesmen. If they impress the mstomsr with their courtesy, knowledge and linear- and back up that Impression with their perform- i&ce, your investment in modem equipment and Promotional plans will pay off. 4885 TO 613:35658252 6.05-05 Ktnt'M oore TOOL DIVISION T O O L S T H A T D O T H JO B RIGHT TH B FIR ST T W I * \v < > * ! ,@ /OUtO( "vicing 77s with Kent-Moore special service tools for G .M . and AM C cars! Now, the special service tools you nsec to quickly, properly and profitably service American Motors and General Motors 1977 m odels are avslleble directly from KentMoore. Using fsetory-approved Kent-Moore se m e s tools (the " J " num bs' tool jpecified in your Service Manual), you can do those tough jobs mueh letter end setter then with ordinary shop tools. Kent-Moore too i save you time (which Is money in your pocket), unnecessary work, and they help you do the job to factory specs. This meont greater customer tailsfaction, fewer "come-backs." Kent-Moore special service tools. You owe It to yourself to check them out. Write for our new catalog oi spo ol! tooh for t i n model*. Wrtio te K ont-M o o't Tool Oivloion. 2 8 M Mound no.. Warren, Mich igan 41012. 9* CHRYSLER 0 4 2 6 7 M a rc h 1977 1 U0 T O R i M ir h 1#77 . . TOTAL PA CE.05 * *