Control of Asbestos Exposure during Brake Drum Service

Abstract An estimated 150,000 brake mechanics and garage workers in the U.S. are potentially exposed to asbestos, a known health hazard. Earlier studies of airborne asbestos exposures to mechanics during brake maintenance operations showed overexposure to asbestos fibers during brake servicing, especially brake assembly cleaning. Most brake service operations are performed by small businesses that lack resources to evaluate control devices. The results from the evaluation of five control methods for containing asbestos brake dust during brake maintenance are presented. These controls included two commercial enclosure devices with ventilation provided by high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter-equipped vacuums, a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner without an enclosure, a wet brush/recycle system which recirculated the cleaning solution, and an aerosol spray for wetting the brake assembly. Detailed surveys of the controls were conducted at five separate facilities during actual brake servicing operat...