Investigation of Health Hazards in Brake Lining Repair and Maintenance Workers Occupationally Exposed to Asbestos

摘要

There are several sources of asbestos exposure to garage mechanics and automobile repairmen. First, of course, is that the asbestos exposure from the debris of brake or clutch lining wear, particulary when the brake or clutch housing are cleaned using a high pressure air hose. Second, garage mechanics may be at risk from exposures during the use of autobody filler and, finally, asbestos dust can be disseminated during mixing and application of undercoating materials each of which has contained the fiber in previous years. In order to determine the extent of the asbestos-related risk from garage maintenance work, NIOSH has contracted with the Environmental Sciences Laboratory to conduct a clinical examination of garage mechanics. The examination was to focus specifically upon those manifestations of asbestos disease, such as x-ray abnormalities and pulmonary function deficits, that would elucidate the possible effects from exposure to asbestos in garage employment.