Asbestos in car parts

[Terry M.]

Let's be careful out there.

Many of us think that asbestos has been banned in automotive applications - not so according to the EPA. The ban was from 1989 to 1991, but has been lifted for 18 classes of products. Six of those items are parts we might encounter in our automotive work.

"Products not banned -
Asbestos-containing product categories no longer subject to the 1989 TSCA ban include:
Asbestos-cement corrugated sheet, asbestos-cement flat sheet, asbestos clothing, pipeline wrap, roofing felt, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, asbestos-cement shingle, millboard, asbestos-cement pipe, automatic transmission components, clutch facings, friction materials, disc brake pads, drum brake linings, brake blocks, gaskets, non-roofing coatings, and roof coatings."

This is a quote from the bottom of page two of the below link

Treat all brake and clutch components as though they contain asbestos. Better to be safe than sorry.




EPA Asbestos link

[Wayne K.]

Very interesting, thanks for the notice. *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

Terry-----

I was not aware that the ban had been lifted; it's amazing that that got by me. In any event, as a practical matter, I don't think that you'll find any asbestos in brake pads, brake shoes, or clutch friction discs manufactured in the USA since 1989. Liability issues are seperate from EPA actions and I really doubt that any US brake/clutch manufacturer or car manufacturer would touch the stuff with a 10 foot pole.

[Terry M.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

Point well taken, Joe. Still I believe it is worth taking some modest precautions, just to be sure. Given how much we all value original and NOS parts we should take precautions anyway. As a group we probably have more asbestos in our garages than most folks.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

I once heard that asbestos was once used as a filler in the fiberglass materials our cars were made of. No more details than that. Can anyone shed additional light on that subject - or put it to bed. The rumor has caused me to never dry sand - of course, I don't like sanding dust anyway... Dennis

[Dennis C.]

Then again, this may fall into the catagory...

where, if I tell you, I'll have to kill you. Whatever; just thought I'd try to cause a little trouble. This subject probably won't be covered in Corvette Quarterly. Best, Dennis

[Dick W.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

Joe, good point, BUT there are a lot of off-shore parts being sold in US under various off-brand labels. Still the problem with counterfeit parts also. Caveat Emptor

[Clem Z.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

a lot of city water systems use asbestos pipes under ground so i guess breathing it is bad but drinking it is OK

[Terry M.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

Clem, I thought lead was used for water pipes, I know it was in my community. I seem to recall reading about asbestos in the fiberglass filler as well, but there is no need for concern about that kind of asbestos. Friable asbestos is the hazard - that is lose particles that become airborn and can be inhaled. I think once it has hardened, sanding will not release the asbestos particles. Wet sanding is a good idea, though. The fewer particles we breath the healthier our lungs will be. Asbestos is used in some types of roofing shingles and house siding without a problem (except to those who are employed in the manufacture of those items).

The proper treatment for brakes is to wash the brake parts with water. It helps to add a small amount (a couple drops) of dishwashing detergent to a gallon of water and spray the solution on the brakes and into the drums (those who have them). Don't smoke or eat without thoroughly washing your hands first, and above all don’t use an air hose to blow off the brake dust.

[Dick W.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

Terry, I have seen asbestos lined cement water pipe. I think it is supposed to be a 200 year pipe. It will not allow deposits to adhere to the lining. And this is a Corvette Discussion Board??

[Clem Z.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

they were labeled "transite" and i watched them install them on my street in 1959. my dad and moms house had a "transite" furnace chimmey.

[Karl #35089]

Re: Asbestos "liability"

There are radio ads running here for some trial lawyer outfit claiming that they can sue for "second hand exposure" to asbestos. Yes, you did not need to have worked with it yourself, you need only to have known someone who did; and you, too, can cash in on the gravy-train! Unbelievable.

[Terry M.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

My former employer. an electric utility, used enormous amounts of Transite in sheet and pipe form, as well as asbestos for fire resistant wrap. We used to saw the sheet into cabinet. Great clouds of dust containing lots of asbestos. We looked like snowmen at the end of the day. I never knew Transite pipe was used for water. We put electric cables into it.
By the end of my career we were receiving training on how to safely remove the very product we installed with no protection years before.

[Chas Kingston]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

Clem —

I often made electric furnaces from Transite pipe. In sheet form, it was also good for lab counter-tops. The boss of the plant where I worked is now dieing of asbestos-induced lung cancer.

Geezer

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Asbestos in car parts

Exposure to asbestos is no joke. I lost my dad and best friend to Mesothelieoma (asbestos cancer). Just stay far away from it!
Jeff