Asbestos Warning For Mechanics Comes Under Fire

The federal government's 17-year effort to warn backyard and professional mechanics of the dangers of cancer-causing asbestos in brakes is under attack.

The international law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to stop distributing warning booklets, posters and videotapes that give mechanics guidance on the need to protect themselves from asbestos. The 10-page petition called the science on which the material was based unproven and irrational.

Court filings and public health surveys indicate that thousands of autoworkers are diagnosed each year with asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Few mechanics take protective measures when working with brakes - mainly, they say, because they believe asbestos is no longer present.

Although the major carmakers say they no longer use asbestos, the brakes on many older cars contain the fibers and more than $124 million worth of asbestos brake material was imported into the United States last year. The potential danger could exist for decades as replacement brakes containing asbestos continue to be put on vehicles.

The main target in their petition is a thin gold-colored EPA pamphlet titled "Guidance for Preventing Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics." Tens of thousands of copies of the Gold Book and other asbestos warning material have been distributed to schools, garages, auto dealers and unions since they were first published 17 years ago.

The petition says that the EPA has it all wrong and that brake repair work is safe. Steve Johnson, the acting deputy administrator of the EPA, said the Gold Book was being revised before the petition arrived, but he insisted that the science upon which the guide was based was "solid" and "we stand by it today." Over the past few years, "we've learned a great deal more about asbestos and its dangers, which are significant," Johnson said. "We are looking at all of our asbestos programs to ensure that they reflect the latest information on the hazards."

Ernie Conry, a retired mechanic, is involved in a suit. Conry worked on brakes in various Ford garages in St. Louis. He said he was never told to wear a respirator or to be cautious. His blue eyes sparkle with anger when he speaks of never being told about asbestos in brakes. He is sick. He has mesothelioma, a fast-killing form of cancer caused only by exposure to asbestos.

As one mechanic interviewed was hammering loose a brake drum from a 1996 Ford Escort black dust and grime covered his clothes and the floor beneath the car. There was no visual way to tell whether the dust contained asbestos. "You just can't get away from the dust. It's everywhere: your hair, your nose, your eyes," he said.

He was surprised to learn that some brakes still contained asbestos. "I thought it was outlawed years ago," said the mechanic. "I've never seen anyone wear a mask in a garage. Never."

The mechanic was amazed to see a box of replacement brakes in his own storeroom that said "Caution. Contains Asbestos Fibers."

"I just can't believe it," he said squinting to read the small type. Another box said "100 percent asbestos free." But on the back of the box, in even smaller type, was written: "Product may contain a chemical fiber know to the state of California to cause cancer."

The EPA says that its regulations direct it to worry about the safety of home mechanics and students, but that OSHA has the responsibility for the workers.

As far back as 1975, NIOSH had many recommendations on protecting workers, including the posting of warning signs in garages saying "Breathing Asbestos Dust May Cause Asbestosis or Cancer."

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