[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 62 (Monday, April 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15690-15692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6057]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2006-0398; FRL-8109-6]


Release of Brochure on Current Best Practices to Prevent Asbestos 
Exposure Among Brake and Clutch Repair Workers

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is announcing the release of the final brochure entitled, 
Current Best Practices for Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and 
Clutch Repair Workers. On August 24, 2006, EPA released a draft version 
of the brochure for a 60-day public comment

[[Page 15691]]

period. After reviewing and, where appropriate, incorporating public 
comments on the draft brochure, EPA is now issuing the final brochure. 
The brochure is intended to provide information for automotive 
professionals and home mechanics on preventing exposure to brake and 
clutch dust that may contain asbestos fibers. A copy of the new 
brochure can be found at http://www.epa.gov/asbestos. This brochure 
replaces the existing 1986 document entitled, Guidance for Preventing 
Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics (EPA-560-OPTS-86-002), commonly 
referred to as the ``Gold Book.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Colby 
Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division 
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: [email protected].
    For technical information contact: Robert Courtnage, National 
Program Chemicals Division (7404T), Office Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 566-1081; e-mail 
address: [email protected] or Tom Simons, National Program 
Chemicals Division (7404T), Office Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 566-0517; e-mail 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you conduct 
automotive repair work. Individuals covered by this action may include 
those in the professional automotive repair industry, State and local 
government employees who perform brake and clutch work in States 
without Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-approved 
State plans, and people performing do-it-yourself automotive repair. In 
addition, those involved in the manufacture and/or import of automotive 
brake and clutch products that may contain asbestos, as well as those 
involved in regulatory compliance, may be affected by the notice. This 
listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide 
for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. 
Other types of entities not listed in this unit also could be affected. 
To determine whether you or your business may be affected by this 
action, you should carefully examine the applicability provisions in 29 
CFR 1910.1001, specifically paragraph (f)(3) and Appendix F, or 40 CFR 
part 763, subpart G. If you have any questions regarding the 
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult either 
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

    1. Docket. EPA has established a docket for this action under 
docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2006-0398. All documents 
in the docket are listed in the docket's index available at http://www.regulations.gov. Although listed in the index, some information is 
not publicly available, e.g., Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain 
other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly 
available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are 
available electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only 
available in hard copy, at the OPPT Docket. The OPPT Docket is located 
in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) at Rm. 3334, EPA West Bldg., 1301 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room 
hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding Federal holidays. The telephone number of the EPA/DC Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT 
Docket is (202) 566-0280. Docket visitors are required to show 
photographic identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign 
the EPA visitor log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray 
machine and subject to search. Visitors will be provided an EPA/DC 
badge that must be visible at all times in the building and returned 
upon departure.
    2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr.

II. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    EPA is announcing the release of the final brochure entitled, 
Current Best Practices for Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and 
Clutch Repair Workers. EPA released and published in the Federal 
Register of August 24, 2006 (71 FR 50060) (FRL-8086-6) a draft of the 
brochure for a 60-day public comment period. After reviewing and, where 
appropriate, incorporating public comments into the brochure, EPA is 
now issuing the final brochure. The brochure provides information for 
automotive professionals, including State and local government 
employees, and home mechanics on preventing exposure to brake and 
clutch dust that may contain asbestos fibers. The brochure summarizes 
work practices that can help to reduce or eliminate asbestos exposure, 
and identifies pertinent OSHA regulatory requirements for professional 
automotive mechanics, which are found at 29 CFR 1910.1001, specifically 
paragraph (f)(3) and Appendix F. Also discussed in this brochure is 
EPA's Worker Protection Rule, found at 40 CFR part 763, subpart G, 
which contains requirements identical to the OSHA regulatory 
requirements and is mandatory for State and local government employees 
who perform brake and clutch work in States without OSHA-approved State 
plans. EPA believes that home mechanics, who are not subject to the 
OSHA or EPA standards, also may benefit from the information discussed 
in the brochure regarding the OSHA and EPA work practice standards and 
the additional advice provided on steps home mechanics can consider 
taking to prevent possible asbestos exposure when working with 
asbestos-containing friction products. A copy of the final brochure is 
available at http://www.epa.gov/asbestos. This brochure replaces the 
existing 1986 document entitled, Guidance for Preventing Asbestos 
Disease Among Auto Mechanics (EPA-560-OPTS-86-002), commonly referred 
to as the ``Gold Book.''
    Asbestos is the common name given to a number of naturally 
occurring mineral fibers that are known for their high tensile 
strength, resistance to heat, and chemical stability. Because of these 
properties, asbestos has been used in a wide range of manufactured 
goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and 
cement products, textiles, and coatings and friction products such as 
automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts. If products 
containing asbestos are disturbed, thin, lightweight asbestos fibers 
can be released into the air. Persons breathing the air may then inhale 
asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers 
deposited in the lung. Fibers embedded in the lung tissue over time may 
result in lung diseases such as

[[Page 15692]]

asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. It can take from 10 to 40 
years or more for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear. 
Smoking increases the risk of developing illness from asbestos 
exposure.
    During the 60-day comment period beginning on August 24, 2006, EPA 
received a number of comments on the draft brochure. After considering 
those comments, EPA has modified the brochure in the following ways:
     EPA has added language to the brochure that explains that 
asbestos-related disease can take 10 to 40 years or more for symptoms 
of an asbestos-related condition to appear.
     EPA has incorporated language referring to information 
resources that are available to consumers, including Material Safety 
Data Sheets (MSDS), labels, and information from the product 
manufacturer, to aid in determining whether brake or clutch components 
contain asbestos.
     EPA has incorporated information from OSHA's recent Safety 
and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) addressing brake and clutch 
repair, which notes the difficulty of distinguishing asbestos-
containing brake and clutch components from non-asbestos brake and 
clutch components. A copy of the OSHA SHIB may be found at http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib072606.html. EPA also has included a 
reference to the OSHA SHIB in the final brochure.
     EPA has added a reference to the spray can/solvent method 
of controlling the spread of brake and clutch dust, since it is an 
equivalent alternative asbestos control method approved by OSHA under 
29 CFR 1910.1001, specifically paragraph (f)(3) and Appendix F.
     EPA included advice similar to OSHA's advice (in the 
recent OSHA SHIB) that individuals who perform brake or clutch work 
change into clean clothes before going inside the home, that they wash 
soiled clothes separately, and that bystanders, as well as food and 
drink, be kept out of the work area to minimize exposure to others.
     EPA clarified that employers of professional automotive 
technicians must ensure that asbestos waste is disposed of properly 
pursuant to the OSHA regulations and recommended that home mechanics 
(who are not subject to OSHA regulations) double-bag asbestos waste and 
dispose of it following appropriate local regulations to minimize 
exposure.
    EPA believes this final brochure provides the public and workers 
involved in brake and clutch repair work with a simple, easy-to-
understand summary of the OSHA work practice standards, which are 
mandatory for certain professional automotive mechanics, and provides a 
discussion of the possible health effects associated with asbestos 
exposure that is sufficient. The brochure is not intended to provide 
comprehensive technical information regarding work practices, nor is it 
a comprehensive assessment of the possible health effects that might 
arise if one is exposed to asbestos in performing brake and clutch 
repair work. Finally, the brochure is not a substitute for any 
applicable legal requirements or regulations. Thus, the brochure does 
not impose legally binding requirements on any party, including EPA, 
States, or the regulated community. Interested professional mechanics 
engaged in commercial brake and clutch repair are encouraged to contact 
OSHA regarding compliance with the mandatory work practice standards 
highlighted in this brochure (http://www.osha.gov). Similarly, 
interested State and local government employees who perform brake and 
clutch work in States without OSHA-approved State plans are encouraged 
to contact EPA regarding compliance with EPA's Worker Protection Rule. 
Finally, home mechanics may contact EPA with any specific questions not 
addressed in the brochure by visiting the EPA asbestos website at 
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos, or by calling the Toxic Substances Control 
Act Assistance Information Service (TAIS) at (202) 554-1404.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Asbestos, Automotive brake and clutch 
repair, Health.


    Dated: March 23, 2007.
Wendy C. Hamnett,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and 
Toxic Substances.
[FR Doc. E7-6057 Filed 3-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S