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Mesothelioma and Auto Mechanics

Many auto mechanics work with brake pads that contain asbestos on a daily basis, putting them at high risk for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. A recent study conducted by government-certified laboratories on behalf of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer found that more than two-thirds of automotive garages inspected had dangerous levels of asbestos present. At those rates, the theoretical risk of developing cancer for lifelong mechanics is about 1.5 for every 10 workers.*

Asbestos that has been inhaled or ingested can result in mesothelioma, a rare but deadly cancer, 20 to 50 years down the road. Asbestos can cause a number of other diseases including lung cancer and asbestosis. Even though the dangers of asbestos have been well known for decades, however, many auto manufacturers still use it in their components, while others only recently stopped.

Asbestos in brake products usually comes in the form of short chrysotile fibers. These fibers have excellent fire-resistant properties and can withstand the tremendous heat generated by friction inside automobile brake systems. As the brake wears over time, however, these fibers break down and asbestos dust forms. When auto mechanics service these old brake pads, they often stir up the dust and inhale deadly asbestos fibers.

In the 1980s, the EPA noticed the problem of asbestos in auto shops and issued a guide to safely working with components that contain asbestos. Over the years, the guide has gone through several updates and can be viewed here. Even though garages know the dangers of asbestos exposure, many do not follow the guidelines issued by the EPA. In many shops, mechanics use cleaning methods to that spread deadly asbestos dust rather than contain it. This dust can be inhaled by customers or other mechanics in the shop. It can also cling to clothing and spread to family members at home.

Ernie Conroy is a retired mechanic who developed mesothelioma after years of working with asbestos in his shop. Visit Ernie's section on our website or watch the following video to learn more about how his job as an auto mechanic led to a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis.

 

Let your doctor know if you have been exposed to asbestos through a career as an auto mechanic. Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to develop and be extremely difficult to diagnose. If your doctor knows that you've been exposed to asbestos, he may be able to catch these diseases early in their development.

If you're a retired mechanic diagnosed with mesothelioma, remember that you are not alone. You can contact the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation for support for your journey or talk to the mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons firm for help deciding your next steps.

 

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