Even though May only here about the negative attributes of asbestos, such as increased risk for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other such diseases, it is actually a series of very useful features that prompted its widespread use until the 1980s. Many industries, including construction, use the substance before it was banned. automotive industry is also not immune to the widespread appeal of asbestos.
Asbestos is a fiber that is a member of the family of silicates. It has six different subtypes, which are divided into two main families. The first group, serpentine, consisting of only one subtype, chrysotile. Chrysotile is the most popular form of asbestos due to its sheetlike features and capabilities in the form of layers. The second group, amphiboles, are more resembling a chain. amphibole family includes Amos, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and Actinolite. Amos is the second most common form of asbestos after chrysotile, crocidolite and is considered dangerous.
Despite the dangers of asbestos, auto industry continues to use it because it can be very useful. As the silicate mineral, asbestos embodies several characteristics of this family of minerals that are beneficial. It is highly resistant to various things, including heat, flame, electricity, chemicals, and degradation. Asbestos adds some of its beneficial properties, as well, including high tensile strength and flexibility.
Because of these practical properties, asbestos was added to the history of several automotive parts, including:
brake pads and shoes
clutch plates
clutch linings
Seals
Many of these components experience large amounts of wear and tear. For example, every time you hit the brakes, they can release asbestos fibers into the air if the pads or shoes made of minerals. Since asbestos is dangerous only when it goes in the air and then settles into one's lungs, it is no surprise that auto workers are particularly vulnerable to asbestos diseases.
In order to protect these workers and other people around them, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have teamed together to regulate asbestos. EPA generally regulates asbestos that is released into the air, especially OSHA targets workers. It requires auto repair shops that perform more than five brake or clutch repair or replacement of a week must be using at least one of the following security measures:
Wet Wipe the way
low pressure / wet cleaning method
The negative pressure enclosure / HEPA vacuum system method
Unfortunately, these regulations come too late for many auto workers, which leads to health problems like mesothelioma. If you or someone you know has developed this deadly disease because of exposure to asbestos illegal, you should speak with an attorney today regarding your rights. For more information, check out mesothelioma lawyers today.
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