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Brake Dust Exposure & Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma lawyers and researchers have identified a new risk of asbestos exposure that could effect millions of people who work in the car repair industry and lead brake mechanics to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Studies have shown that while the use of asbestos in certain car and truck parts is still prevalent, most of those men and women who work on cars and trucks don’t know about the risk or aren’t taking precautions that they should when handling asbestos-laden parts.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the pleural lining of the body’s organs in the chest and abdomen such as the heart and lungs. It is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos.

Since mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years to surface and has non-specific symptoms, it can be very hard to detect. However, early detection is crucial as the disease spreads very quickly into other organs and there is no known cure.

Due to its extreme resistance to heat, high tensile strength and pliability, asbestos was used for decades in building, industrial and automotive parts. Unfortunately it is still used in car and truck parts such as brake shoes, clutches, brake drums, gaskets and heat resistant hood linings.

During a recent study, researchers visited nearly 80 Washington state service stations and automotive repair shops to observe how technicians handled asbestos-containing products. What they found was shocking.

Because of the extreme risk of exposure to and inhalation of asbestos fibers during servicing of brake parts, the EPA and OSHA have recommended specific precautions and methods for replacing these parts and what kind of protection to wear.

The study found that approximately 90% of auto service workers didn’t even know that asbestos was still used in car parts such as brakes. Most shops were not using the recommended equipment for handling or disposing of asbestos-containing parts.

EPA and OSHA guidelines recommend against grinding, hammering, scraping or blowing with compressed air any parts that may contain asbestos. The report also found that most mechanics took little or no precautions when handling parts that contained asbestos to protect themselves from the deadly substance.

What was also alarming from the study is that most mechanics took no precautions to prevent bringing the deadly asbestos fibers home on their clothing, where it can affect their families. Experts recommend that they change clothes before going home from work.

Keep in mind that these risks are just as great or worse for anyone who performs work on their car at home. Do not count on the automotive parts industry to protect you and your family from danger. Avoid working with asbestos or take the necessary precautions if you must handle the substance.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that around 575 people die each year from mesothelioma related to work in the automobile industry. Don’t let yourself be part of this statistic.