On 2010 Nov 30, at 10:58 PM, jim s wrote:
  I'm not sure what material is asbestos in this
plugboard, probably the
 laminates in the backer board. 
The ebay mention is "It has wiring, some is asbestos, most is plastic".
As I mentioned in an earlier message, I really think it's just a
misunderstanding about fabric-covered wire. I have IBM plugboard wires
in both plastic and fabric-covered form.