Asbestos in brakes: Exposure and risk of disease

Abstract

Asbestos has been incorporated into friction products since the early 1900s. Epidemiological studies have been equivocal in their analysis of the incidence of disease among mechanics servicing brakes. Decomposition of asbestos occurs during the normal usage of the brake due to thermal decomposition into forsterite, although not all asbestos is so converted. Short fibers, below 5 microm in length, are also found in brake products. Several facts are discussed including the toxicity of the remaining asbestos fibers, short asbestos fibers, and the health implications of exposure to forsterite. Control methodologies, when used appropriately, have reduced exposure to asbestos during brake servicing, but have not been able to entirely eliminate exposure to asbestos, thus bring into question the controlled use of asbestos for friction product such as brakes. Even the so called "controlled" use of asbestos containing brakes poses a health risk to workers, users, and their families.

RE: Asbestos in brakes: Exposure and risk of disease

“…In a recently published review article, Dr. Lemen attempted to summarize the data on asbestos exposure from brake work and the risk of mesothelioma [Lemen, 2004]. He concluded that the epidemiological evidence is equivocal.…”

Asbestiformer Antigorit, ein Risikomineral in Serpentiniten: Argumente für eine Gesundheitsfürsorge entsprechend der Gruppe der Asbestminerale

“…Das bedeutende Gesundheitsrisiko von faserigem Antigorit wurde bereits von einer Reihe von Veröffentlichungen behandelt (Keeling et al [9]; Baumann [10]; Cardile et al [11]; Pugnaloni et al [12]; Wozniak et al [13,14] [16][17][18].…”

Asbestos is still with us: repeat call for a universal ban

“…But refuting this scientifically untenable and highly misleading position are numerous epidemiologic studies, case reports, controlled animal experiments, and toxicological studies which show clearly and consistently that chrysotile is highly dangerous and that it is fully capable of causing cancer [14,[36][37][38][39][40][41]. These studies demonstrate that the so-called "controlled use" of asbestos is a fallacy [42]. Workers exposed to chrysotile fibers alone have excessive risks of lung cancer and excessive deaths from mesothelioma [43][44][45].…”