Elongate mineral particles (EMP) characteristics and mesothelioma: Summary and resolution for session I of the Monticello II conference.

The summary contains a consensus opinion regarding the current state of the science about the dimensions of Elongate Mineral Particles (EMPs) as a factor impacting their carcinogenicity.

Discriminant analysis of amphiboles: Additional considerations.

Amphibole minerals are found throughout nature and could pose a respiratory hazard if these exist in the asbestiform growth habit. Though amphibole asbestos has not been used in commercial products as an added material for more than 30 years, these minerals could exist in other materials as trace contaminants as well as occurring in mines and earth-moving environments. It is necessary, then, that the asbestiform amphibole minerals be properly identified in order to appropriately use health-protective measures.

Identification and analysis of ambient EMPs.

Mineral particles have long been observed in the ambient air and for >40 years, samples of these airborne particulate have been collected in attempt to identify and quantify the amount of asbestos particles in the air. For most of this time, regulated asbestos particles (in the shape of fibers) were the target for these analyses. However, since the turn of the century, more emphasis has been placed on finding and identifying elongate mineral particles (EMPs).

Asbestos exposures of mechanics performing clutch service on motor vehicles.

A study was conducted to assess historical asbestos exposures of mechanics performing clutch service on motor vehicles. For most of the 20th century, friction components used in brakes and manual transmission clutches contained approximately 25-60% chrysotile asbestos. Since the late 1960s, asbestos exposure assessment studies conducted on mechanics performing brake service have frequently reported levels below the current OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.

Airborne asbestos concentration from brake changing does not exceed permissible exposure limit.

The use in the past, and to a lesser extent today, of chrysotile asbestos in automobile brake systems causes health concerns among professional mechanics. Therefore, we conducted four separate tests in order to evaluate an auto mechanic's exposure to airborne asbestos fibers while performing routine brake maintenance. Four nearly identical automobiles from 1960s having four wheel drum brakes were used.