Document zdQb74g4wKMxv43p5vvjxJOp0

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AMO WELFARE CDC, NIOSH Minutes of Occupational Exposures to Asbestos Dust From Brake Linings Meeting July 21, 1975 Attendees See Attached Proceedings Dr. John F. Finklea, Director of UIOSH, welcomed the attendees. Ue stated that the purposes of the neeting were (1) to consider preliminary data on asbestos exposure among brake lining workers anJ (2) to Iiscuss a future course of action based on thi3 preliminary information. j-tr. Finklea then turned the meeting over to Dr. Irving Selikoff of Mount Sinai -for presentation of some of his work on this problem. Dr. Selikoff described the background for our current concern. Ihe health effects of asbestos are well known. However, the health hasard associated with' asbestos in brake linings until recently has received little attention. It vas thought that the intense heat generated iron braking modified the asbestos and that brake lining dust contained insignificant amounts of asbestos fibers. hr. Mancuso In 19*3 did describe asbestos-related health ' effects in the manufacturing of asbestos for brake linings but apparently this caused little concern. In 1973, a case of mesothelioma was reported in a brake repair worker. This stimulated a re-examination of the problem, Dr. SelikofT con Jilted with Mr. Meyers of UAW, `hr. Ccfalo of LAM and the Ford "iotor Company a;.i the group at Mt. Sinai initiated a study to determine if brake lining workers were exposed to significant levels of asbestos. Dr. Selikoff introduced Jr. Langer of Mt. Sinai who reviewed the composition of brake linings and the breakdown products thought to occur from heat generated luring braking'. Previous studies did not demonstrate asbestos fibers in the amounts or prevalence as indicated by the current studies- at Mt. Sinai However, recent studies at Mt. Sia.M demonstrated typical chrysotile asbestos fibers along with a wide range of other forms of crystalline and fibrous materials. He emphasised time the composition of brake linings nay differ, for cxauolc, brake* linings tn the U.S. and Croat Britain and products hurc in the D.S. may have undergone many changes over the years. This is particularly important since recent data show that 2 L-' of the new car market is undo ut of those imports. ' Further research is needed to characterise the ^sbe-tos DPMC-00349 LAM 006837 - 2- V/ content of past and present dust exposures. It should be recognized also .that the health effects of other naterials In brake dust have not bpen studied. Dr. P.ohl fron Tit. Sinai reported on studies n asbestos dust expo sure-in autonobilc repair shops In '.leu York City. Pea!: exposures fron 5-8 minutes duration were measured. Fiber counts, using the OSiiA method, were from to 30/ml at 3-5 feet fron brake druna cleaned with compressed air. At 5-10 feet, counts ranged fron 2 to 4 nl; at l')-2Q feet 0.4 to 4.3/nl. Drums cleaned with a brush generated less airborne asbestos, 1.3-3.6 fibers/nl in the operators breathing :one. Eighty to 99% of the fibers as observed by electron microscopy were les3 taan J.4 microns in length, indicating a much higher exposure to asbestos fibers than indicated by optical microscopy. Workers encaged in grinding operations to renew brake linings were exposed to 2-7 onticallv visible fibers/nl. Those bevelling linings had high exposures ranging fro;: 3272 fibers/nl. Dr. George Wright pointed out that earlier studies showed that 1 to 3% of brake dust is fibrous asbestos. Dr. Lorincr of Tit. Sinai reported on nedical examination of 13 brake repair workers with lh-40 years of exnosure. A substantial nur.ber were reported to nave X-ray and ventilatory function ubuarraalitics. Further studies need to be done in this area before anv conconiusions on health- effects can be drawn. However, it was pointed out th.it at least four cases of mesothelioma have been reported nationally among auto mobile -renair workers and this lends urgency to the problem. Dr. Finklea asked for comments and recommendations for addressing the problem. Ttr. Heyers suggested that several practical control measures are feasible now. Indeed, these measures have been instituted in several shops. His union alerted Its members via its newsletter and ucvelopco posters to alert workers to the problem. !!r. lieyers emphasized t.iat the employers with whom he worked were most cooperative. Saplovers were encouraged to use vacuum cleaning of brake drums an.!, where necessary, masks to reduce exposure.. His union has made arrangements for continued nedical evaluation of its members. He emphasized Cue importance of union representatives having access to workplaces for observation of sanitary practices. Dr. George Wright, an industrial consultant, emphasized that manu facturers have a responsibility to ascertain what happens to their products after being sold to others. This problem represent;; a diffi cult problem for the manufacturer and for their industrial cunt imerj. Dr. Wright stressed belief that the asbestos industry would cooperate in every possible way. ,r, Wright wa~ not totally .surprised by Lite fiber counts reported ami expressed the boLicf that one night subsc>uie-itly encounter the full spectrun of asbestos-reintod disc"'.no .rtong grin .era. Dr. Wright expressed concern that conditions night Le worse -uk. DPMC-00350 LAM 006838 y 3 exposures higher among some smaller businesses. Dr. Wright cautioned that the Influence of fiber size should be considered and tout any extrapolation to the general population be made with caution. He urged that any subsequent investigations utilize the UICC classification and the inclusion of negative controls. Dr. Wright cautioned against over interpreting the occurrence of four mesothelioma cases. Hr. Samuels of IUD urged that NIOSH: -- Notify the Department of Labor about this problen; -- 'lake minutes of this meeting available to public along with a suitable press release; -- Notify other involved unions; -- Institute an appropriate national sampling program; -- Institute a program of surveillance and intervention. Other unions involved Include: ' -- United Auto Workers --* Teamsters -- American Federation of Government Employees --- Allied Industrial Workers -- Laborers International -- International \ssociation of Machinists -- American Postal Workers Union -- United kubber Workers -- Amalgamated Transit Union -- Transport Workers Union of America -- United Transportation Union '!r. Samuels of IUD urged that everyone be informed of existing, easily applicable control measures. Mr. ueyers suggested any release on control technology be built upon their asbestos safety bulletin, Mr. Angelo Mefnlo of 1AM discussed the need to infer:-, affected locals and union members in an orderly fashion. Mr. Ccfalo stated c.u.c DPMC-00351 LAM 006839 W^ VtWl>V 4* 4 y the needed research program should be planned and funded, lie offered his assistance in obtaining any needed suTiport for this program. Dr. Mancuso of the University of Pittsburgh at the request of the International Association of Machinists conducted a pilot study of dcata records and identified in 1173 a mesothelioma case (proven by autopsy) of a garage nechanic and another case of pleural mesothelioma in a nillright vho vas flowing out asbestos, friction-tync clutche_ with conpressed air at a paper company. Dr. !iancuso felt the nature of the death records was such that other casei of mesothelioma nay exist but are unrecognized. He spoke of the need to use this opportunity to develop an effective Industrial medical surveillance system. Herb Northrop of Ford asked that any alert bulletin place this problem in perspective -- pointing out other recognized exposures to' asbestos. John Dement of DFSCI presented preliminary data from a NIOSH study showing neak exposures of un to 5 fibcrs/ril during brake drum blov.'ing. He also showed peak lead levels of approximately 4.5 mg/'G during blowing operations. NIOSH electronnicroscopic studies of brake drum dust also showed a predominance of small asbestos fibers with most fibers being less than 1 micrometer in length. At a plant renewin'.-: lined brake shoes, exposures of 2) fibers/ml (during grinding) and peaks of un to 10 fibers/ral during emptying of a drum containing old lining.' were -observed. Dr. Ueaver of API offered to communicate with gasoline stations and he supported further studies of the problem and ennhasized the need co use appropriate controls of UICC film reading techniques. Ed Alnaugh of International Harvester urged preparation of a joint release. Paul Toth of Ford offered to help with suggestions on control technology and in disseminating information from NIOSH on this natter to appropriate Ford Motor Company dealer relations personnel. John Moran of EPA pointed out that disc brakes release sure asbestos into the general environment than shoe brakes. He stated that the EPA expressway roadside study could look at asbestos levels along a gradient awav from the expressway. Dr, Selikoff pointed out ' taut braking, itself, nay be important and that roadside studies should consider the effect of braking. Dr. 'bmeuso vas asked to comment-on the needed heilt'a studies. He suggested an epidemiology study of the aortalitv cxncricnce of a cohort of unionized workers and their families. He-emphasized ae.cd for uxercac care In the exncrJncncal design. He thought such a studv should look for other cancers iml occupational respiratorv disease; as well as asbestos-rdated 'isorders.- DPMC-00352 LAM 006840 5 It was emphasized that workers were exnosed to Metals, plastic dusts (body shops), solvents and toxic gases like carbon monoxide. or, `tancuso recormended clinical studies in the same population of workers. He especially requested evaluation of so-called "nuisance dusts" which he claims nay be more harmful than novr realized. He taaohasized need to look at workers who left the industry as well as those who are still employed. - !!r. Toth strcsse.1 the need to ascertain the role of tobacco smoking in any studies. Others agreed with him. hr. 'lancuso took, exception to the undue emphasis on the snoking aspects, to the exclusion of pronor recognition of the magnitude of inherent health risks due co the chemicals, in dusts of the working environment. Pr. Selikoff suggested seven areas for urgent study: --- Analysis of brake materials utilized since 1940 using literature survey and laboratory analysis (EPA/HIOSU). -- Broad based national industrial hygiene survey to assess \exposures for various occupational tasks (HIOSIi/OSIlA) . -- Epidemiologic studies of mortality experience of exposed workers from several sources (NIOSII). lie suggests this receive the highest priority, -- Further clinical studies of 1,000 workers including suitable controls (NI0S1I) . -- Autopsy survey of lung asbestos burden of exposed workers in auto maintenance industry (HIOSII) . -- Industrial hygiene measures to better control exposure (Joint effort of unions, industry and HI0S1I) . -- Education of workers to hazard and to use control measures (DOL/kTOSK) . Dr. Selikoff suggested that there be no delay in getting this program underway. Dr. Joe Wagoner of HIOSH generally supported the discussed research program. He emphasized need for careful characterization of exposures to agents- other than asbestos and the need to assure that limited research funds are used to answer some of our major remaining scientific questions about the effects of oxnosure to relatively low levels of short asbestos fibers. William Best of HCI offered his assistance .ind asked whether or not a case-control study night be of some help. DPMC-00353 OO6841 Name Edward Alpaugh Edward J. Baler Otto A. Bessey, :t.D. William Best, M.P. Hector Blejer, K.D. Kenneth Brid'oord, :W. Jack Butler, Angelo Cefalo John :I. Dement John F. Finklea, M. D. Arthur Langcr, M.D. Willlan Lorimer, M.D. Thomas F. 'lancuso, M.D. Samuel .ieyers John Moran Herb Northrop, M.D. Arthur P.ohl, M.D. Sheldon Samuels Irving J. Selikoff, II, b. Paul L. Toth Joseph Wagoner, S.D. llyg Neill Weaver, It.D. George W Wright, It.D. ATTCniEES Affiliation International Harvester Company KIOSK Ht. Sinai National Cancer Institute KIOSK KIOSK NIOSH International Association of Ilachini.it: NIOSH NIOSH lit. Sinai Ht. Sinai University of Pittsburgh Local 25'./, LAW EPA Ford Motor Company lit. Sinai IUD/AFL-CIO Ht. Sinai Ford Motor Company KIOSII American Petroleum Institute Johns-Manvi11e DPMC-00354 LAM 006842 BADGE SHELL CIL CC HOUSTON REFINERY SENIORITY LIST - JULY 1 1975 AUTOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT NAME OEPT. SEN. PLANT SEN. DATE OATE GARAGE MECHANIC NO. 1 12-02-46 08-13-46 09-30-47 06-09-47 06-17-43 04-08-43 03-10-51 04-01-49 11-27-51 03-05-48 11-18-52 07-16-52 07-22-54 10-20-52 03-13-54 12-22-52 09-09-53 12-29-52 06-26-59 10-20-52 04-10-63 04-10-68 PAGE 01 DPMC-00355- LAM 006843