Asbestos exposures during reprocessing of automobile brakes and clutches.
Asbestos exposures of workers in three small factories reprocessing automobile brakes and clutches in Japan were investigated. Airborne asbestos was collected on a membrane filter using an air sampler. From 1982 to 1989, asbestos counting was performed on 295 samples (198 personal and 97 stationary), using phase contrast microscopy. Only chrysotile asbestos was detected. Workers who reprocessed automobile brakes and clutches were exposed to asbestos concentrations of 0.025-76.4 fibers/cm3. Geometric mean asbestos concentrations during attaching linings to brake shoes and attaching facings to clutch disks were 0.859 fibers/cm3 and 0.780 fibers/cm3, respectively. Concentrations during stripping worn brake linings and clutch facings were 0.484 fibers/cm3 and 0.382 fibers/cm3, respectively. Machine grinding and leveling of new brake-lining surfaces represent potential sources of heavy asbestos exposures, unless enclosures and local ventilation are efficient.
Sakai
Kiyoshi
K
Nagoya City Public Health Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan. k-sakai@ma.medias.ne.jpb
Hisanaga
Naomi
N
Shibata
Eiji
E
Ono
Yuichiro
Y
Takeuchi
Yasuhiro
Y
D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000032:analysis*; D001336:Automobiles; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D007564:Japan; D008420:Manufactured Materials / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D020711:Threshold Limit Values
D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine