1. Skip to header
  2. Skip to main
  3. Skip to content
  4. Skip to sidebar
  5. Skip to footer

Asbestos Exposure on Mechanics

Alphabetical by:

COMPANY NAME

Exposure by:

COMPANY TYPE

Exposure by:

OCCUPATION

Exposure by:

STATE

Company Name Company Type Occupation State

Details

mechanics-mesothelioma

While most of us are aware of the dangers of working with asbestos, there are some occupations that still expose workers to the toxic substance that causes mesothelioma. Most of the time, the workers’ exposure comes from working with heat resistant materials manufactured with asbestos, such as insulation and brake pads. Occupations particularly at risk include firefighters, constructions workers and automobile mechanics.

All mechanics and other auto shop employees are at risk for exposure to asbestos, since the dust released from the asbestos-containing car parts gets into the air and can be breathed in by anyone in the area. Family members of mechanics and auto shop employees are also at risk for “second-hand” exposure (also known as para-occupational exposure) because the employees bring home asbestos fibers on their clothes and hair.

Mechanics who work on the following are especially at risk for direct asbestos exposure:

  • Brakes
  • Clutches
  • Gaskets
  • Transmissions

The U.S. put legal restrictions on the use of asbestos in the 1970s but didn’t prohibit the use of asbestos in car parts manufactured in the US until 2003. Despite strong warnings from the medical community, some overseas manufacturers continue to manufacture car parts with asbestos. This means that mechanics who work on older cars almost certainly come into contact with asbestos, and mechanics who work on new cars may unknowingly come into contact with asbestos in car parts manufactured outside the US.

The very nature of mechanic work lends itself to asbestos exposure. Mechanics often work in enclosed spaces, coming into close contact with asbestos-containing materials.

When a mechanic installs new brakes, the pads and linings are filed, sanded and drilled during installation, releasing asbestos dust into the air. During brake and clutch maintenance, the pads and linings are often filed down, again releasing asbestos dust. Even if a damp cloth is used to minimize the spread of dust, the tiny fibers remain on the cloth when it dries. The process of driving a car also creates asbestos dust that collects in the brake drums. When these brakes are replaced or maintained, the dust is released. The mechanic doing the work comes into closest contact with the fibers, but the particles are in the air of the shop, putting everyone who works there at risk for asbestos exposure.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can take 10 to 70 years to appear after the initial exposure. Often the initial symptoms are mistaken for a minor respiratory infection or virus. Many times the disease is not recognized until a tumor in the lungs or other part of the body has developed.

As a group at increased risk for mesothelioma, people who have worked in auto shops who develop breathing difficulties or persistent cough should be evaluated by a physician familiar with the disease. Even if there are no symptoms, it is advisable for anyone regularly exposed to asbestos to be evaluated by a physician for possible development of mesothelioma. While there is no cure for mesothelioma, there are many treatment options available that are very favorable when the disease is detected early.

There are many supportive communities available to mesothelioma sufferers and their families that can provide help with coping skills, home treatments, and emotional support.

If you have questions or concerns about mesothelioma or would like more information on exposure to this deadly disease, please feel free to contact us by filling out this form.