Document r67nDxxQywbL2b0G34O6k8N9v

ATTACHMENT B Alexandria., 7a., April 3, 1?&3* Tile* 130.3*511 KB* C, 1* 303AS12JU . \. - Saferact jrour letter of arch 7# 1?5Q regarding the Cobra V-23& braxe shoo used ca vorfc eqalpoeart' . . The aasafaetwer edriaee the prescat composition shoe has . - . asbestos* They are rodlfyiag this shoe to dialsate the ase of asbestos* . She asbestos is tightly bouodin the robber* tjpe notarial, sed there is probably little free asbestos fiber liberated durian the grinding operation; hervarer, a respirator should be vara vhea y griadiag or shrssire operation is perfamed* la this case, a cartridge, such os Kisa Safety Appliance (J4SA) /3i$403* Ultra-Tvia S Filter cartridge, be used la the respirator* ---'? " /" ` . . ' - . ... B7?/bls - Director, Research A Tests* ce - Dr, 2Sax ? Rogers... .... Hr* ?, a. Baylor Kr. D* C. Kltchdl Kr* J. L. Stubbs :<r. C. 3. laflin ... Sr. J, T* Beydea LABORATORY UORK REPORT LAB NO. FILE NO. Date Received ^_______ Anticipated Completion pate Material^ Manufacturer^ /^~^\ Submitted by Sample Assigned to_ APfl Purpose of Test____ /) ^ \ 7^ r^v . 00/_*") ANALYSIS 7- ^ - *T,// % X^ ^ -. / '. 4o //. ^ % y- ^ % -oy X ^>ls~nS (1^) /X 7J> 3. a3 `vy,?? RAILROAD FRICTION PRODUCTS CORPORATION WILXEftDING, PENNSYLVANIA IS14S * AREA COOE 413 * 27**1000 March 27, 1980 Mr. J. S. Saxon Southern Railway Company P. 0. Box 233 Alexandria, VA 22314 ' K j Dear Mr. Saxon: Attached is my letter to Mr. Loflis, Shop Superintendent in Charlotte. Also enclosed. Is a report covering emissions from COBRA brake shoes. If we can be of any further assistance, please let me know. Sincerely, EJB/j Encls E. J. Brannan Sales Engineer Registered TRADEMARK of Railroad Friction Products Corporation WISTINGMOUSI AIR IRAKI COMPANY JOMNi.UAMVtU! CORPORA? 111 m fmimn ?s~: March 13, 1980 Mr. C. B. Loflin Shop Superintendent Southern Railway Company 312 West Liddell Street Charlotte, NC 28206 Dear Mr, Loflin: 2his la in reply to your request for information concerning so called hazardous ingredients in the COBR/P Brake Shoes you are using on your K. W. vehicles# * At the present time, the friction material in the COBRA brake shoes you are using is the same as the AAR approved COBRA brake shoe friction ma terial in use on interchange freight cars# This COBRA friction material contains a small amount of asbestos, but no lead# We are in the process of obtaining approval for a no-lead, no-asbestos friction material. We anticipate having this material approved by the 4th quarter of 1980, For your further information, X am attaching a summary of a series of Environmental Safety tests that we have/aade on COBRA brake shoes. ^ Sincerely, Enclosures EJB/j E, J, Brannan Registered TRADEMARK of Railroad' Friction Products Corporation, \/ ( COBRA High Friction Composition Brake Shoes Environmental Safety_____________ ;_ This is in response to your request for information concerning possible . environmental hazards that could result from the use of COBRA Cotnposi- tion Brake Shoes. Investigations we have conducted offer reasonable assurance that COBRA brake shoes do not pose an environmental hazard to cither personnel handling them or personnel in close proximity to Che point where they are utilized during braking operations. Specific actions that we have taken to insure the environmental safety of COBRA brake shoes are as follows: _ . 1. A certain amount of asbestos fiber is included in the composition material and backing stock of each COBRA brake shoe. During the manufacturing process, the asbestos and other materials are molded into a hard block of friction material which is bonded to a steel backing plate. At this point, the asbestos is effectively contained within the friction material. As a further protection, the entire brake shoe is dipped in a sealant which will prevent any loose asbestos particles becoming airborne during handling of the brake shoes. The sealant also restricts rusting of the backing plate dur ing outside storage and provides the distinctive "red" shoe color. 2. We have been questioned by various groups and individuals concerning the amount of asbestos fiber released by COBRA brake shoes during braking action. To be able to answer these questions, we ran an elaborate series of dynamometer tests in 1971 during which all the wear dust from various types of braking cycles was collected and analyzed. The results of these tests show that almost all of the asbestos fiber is decomposed during brake applications. Less than one percent of the original asbestos fiber in the shoe remains as fiber in the wear dust and less than one tenth of that becomes airborne. Since each stop WUTlNCMOUSt AIK MAC* COUKAtfY JOHN$.MAHVILLf COMO* wears only a very smell amount of materiel from each shoe, and since each shoe contains only a very small percentage of asbestos fiber, it can be seen that the amount of asbestos fiber chat becomes air borne with each stop is not significant. 3. During the same period of investigation covered in 2 above, possible toxicity of gases liberated by CQBRA@ brake shoes during braking was also given attention. Stop and drag tests were performed and samples of gases given off during braking were collected by a technician from an independent testing laboratory. The samples were subsequently, analysed and the results reported. ' Results showed that the COBRA brake shoes gave off no extremely toxic materials, and only small amounts of hydrocarbon gases. . It was concluded that no amounts of harmful gases sufficient to be Injurious to health were liberated. .\ . * 4. The original COBRA brake shoe composition also contained lead. All shoes manufactured since November'1975 have utilized a lead-free com position. The primary reason for this change was to eliminate lead from our-plant environment for the protection of. manufacturing employees exposed to the raw material.' - 5. In early 1977, WABCO, in cooperation with Johns-Manville research per- sonnell, conducted a series of air sample tests in the Boston Subway In an offort to capture chrysotile fiber during train operations. Samples were taken between the cars near the Crack level, in the passenger and motorman's area, and on the platforms over a 10 hour period of highest density operation. No significant fiber counts were seen on any of the filters. '' 6. In 1978-79, we developed and have in locomotive end mass transit ser vice a COBRA Composition Brake Shoe which contains neither asbestos or lead in the friction material. We trust the above information will provide answers to questions that may arise as to the environmental characteristics of COBRA, brake shoes. Please let us know if any additional information is required. Sincerely yours. EWX/j E. W. Kojszr"^\ Manager-COBRA Shoe Sales RAILROAD FRICTION PRODUCTS CORPC WILMCROlMC. PENNSYLVANIA SA * AREA COOK *2 27*IOOO ON May 27, 1983 Norfolk Southern Corporation Legal Department 8 North Jefferson Street Roanoke, VA 24042 Gentlemen: COBRA Brake Shoes This is to advise that since August, 1980, there has been no asbestos or lead included in the manufacture of any RFPC product. 'The principal in gredients are synthetic rubber and reinforcing material, as well as vari ous fillers designed to improve wear and dissipate heat. Minor elements are primarily curing agents. Any fumes produced in service are due to the decomposition and carboni zation of .the binders and fillers and, while they may be odorous, they are not toxic. Very truly yours. EWK/e Registered TRADEMARK of Railroad Friction Products Corp. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA torch 7, 1980 Mr. R. F. Plunkett Asst. Kgr. Res. & Tests As per tel con of 3/7/80. Please run any and all appropriate test to determine the material substances of the composition type brake shoe being purchased from Railway Friction Products, for use on Southern's roadway machine. ./ We are concerned about any possible harmful asbestos coAfents. Please advise the undersigned as soon as possible. T , CLBrjem C. L. Bonasera, R.M.M. Charlotte Regional Center Charlotte, N. C. Cys: Messrs. 0. L.Stubbs C. B. Loflin J. T. Hayden / Atlanta - January 20, 1044 Mr. A. E. Hinson: , Herewith copy of a Rock Island Lines Superintendent's General Notice concerning composition brake shoes and precautions to be taken in regard to the residue dust. , Up to this point I have not been aware that this is a problem area. Do you feel similar instructions should be issued on Southern? F, M, Kaylor cy: Dr. M. Rogers ; aA i. A' .J*' f , / i -<?! . , \ Wr ;1 /y ` !///" ,r ^ j)t rr1'' ' / 4 4 * . ...... - ,y- six W P UKES ' OmCE^OT^UPSWiniiSsn KISSOURI-KANSAS DIVISION , GENERAL NOTICE NO.. 2 ;" .. ' Kansas City, Kansas January 6, 1978 ALL CONCERNED: AIL SUB-DIVISIONS Item (68) Category 1 * Employes vho are exposed to brake shoe residue dust when changing brake shoes should was#their hands thoroughly before eatingj and should vafh work clothes and gloves frequently to prevent possible accumulation of asbestos fibers that could be Inhaled froa their clothing. Employes vho use tobacco'while working should carry in veil wrapped or closed container to prevent dust infiltration Before using or handling tobacco, hands should be elean. Smoking in any fora should be avoided while changing cotaposieioa brake shoes to elialnate unnecessary inhalation. ... . Itea (69) Category'1 _ State of Oklahoaa Consslssion Order 26163 effective February 1, 1978, requires: . 1. That each train crew shall carry and retain the current manifest listing the contents of the train. -. .. 2. That upon the occurrence of an accident within the State of Oklahoaa Involving hazardous materials which is reportable under 171.26 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the train' . * crew Involved shall fully cooperate and'give assistance to all response personnel. * 3. Also upon the occurrence of sueh an aceident as described above, the train crew involved shall Immediately contact its dispatcher's offiee shall icmcdiately .contact the Oklahoma Highway Patrol at it's central number (405) 424-1616, as to any hazardous materials on board specifically naming said materials and the quantity on board. 4. That upon violation of any of these regulations, the responsible railway company shall be assessed a fine, the amount of which is to be determined by the Corporation Commission of the State of Oklahoaa. Files - 430, 467 H. E. Phelps Superintendent . Washington, HR. F. M. KAYLOR: I have noced Mr. Kaylor's comment to Mr. Hinson of January 20 concerning composition brake shoes. To this point X have had no notice o any problem with this. ( cc: Mr. A* . Hinson l-' Has ? Rogers, M.D. .Jr ws J