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BMC has formed the Product Environmental Committee

17 September 1998

Brake Manufacturers Council Environmental Committee Will Take an Active Role in Environmental Monitoring

    RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 17 -- The Brake
Manufacturers Council (BMC) has formed the Product Environmental Committee.
The committee will take an active role in monitoring the environmental impact
of BMC members' products and coordinating industry responses and action plans.
    "The Product Environmental Committee's responsibilities will include
communicating with regulatory agencies, promoting public awareness, and
researching specific projects," said Jim Lawrence, BMC executive director.
"This committee provides a means of broader industry commitment and a forum
through which its members can focus their efforts as responsible corporate
citizens."
    One of the committee's first projects will be to deal with the potential
metal contamination of U.S. estuaries which might be a result of brake wear
debris from vehicles traveling the nation's highways.  This activity grew out
of a concern that excess copper in South San Francisco Bay storm water may be
caused by brake wear debris.
    The copper issue is a complex one that involves industry, environmental
groups, and the government.  Prior to formation of the Product Environmental
Committee, representatives from BMC member companies participated in
discussions on an individual level.  The committee provides a framework by
which the members and the other parties in these discussions can develop plans
for obtaining this information in a logical, scientific, and timely manner.
    "The copper issue involves a number of questions that must be answered by
developing sound technical data, without compromising safety," said Lawrence.
    Some areas for research include generation of wear debris by appropriate
dynamometer procedures, chemical and morphological analysis of wear debris,
fate and transport of wear debris, and copper bioavailability and toxicity
evaluations, Lawrence said.
    Established in 1973, the Brake Manufacturers Council is an organization of
companies that manufacture brakes and brake products.  It is dedicated to
providing and maintaining communications with federal, state, and local
governments on behalf of the brake parts industry and disseminating
information on topics of industry interest to members.  The BMC meets twice a
year to address current or anticipated issues facing automotive brake parts
and systems manufacturers.  The BMC is a product line group of the Motor &
Equipment Manufacturers Association.