Auto Mechanics and Asbestos
Ever since cars made their way into the fabric of American life, there have been auto mechanics around to take care of them. Indeed, most Americans couldn't survive without their cars and a reliable mechanic to help maintain them.
For many auto mechanics, tinkering with cars has always been a way of life and they wouldn't dream of doing any other kind of work. For decades, however, many auto repair personnel were unknowingly exposed to dangerous asbestos dust, caused by the use of asbestos in parts such as brakes and clutches. But even though asbestos is no longer used in the manufacture of brakes and clutches within the U.S., mechanics may still be exposed if they work on older cars or use auto parts that are manufactured elsewhere and still contain asbestos.
One of the factors that make asbestos exposure so common among auto mechanics, especially those that work in small privately-owned garages, is the fact that they often work in very tight quarters with poor ventilation and therefore are prone to inhaling large, concentrated amounts of asbestos dust. That is why proper ventilation is so important, no matter what the size of the garage.
While wearing the proper protective gear can certainly help cut down on potential asbestos hazards, for decades auto mechanics were unaware of the dangers posed by asbestos inhalation so did little or nothing to protect themselves while they worked on parts that contained the hazardous material, which was used in auto parts because of its excellent insulation properties.
Furthermore, those who worked for large automakers may have been in the middle of an asbestos cover-up. Records show that company owners and managers often knew of the dangers of asbestos but hid the facts from their employees and failed to provide them with adequate protection while on the job. Decades later, these men and women have developed serious asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, and some are now suing these automakers for their role in the cover up.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently updated their brochure concerning auto mechanics and asbestos and have made it available to all those who work in the profession. Entitled Current Best Practices for Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and Clutch Repair Workers, the brochure helps auto mechanics identify parts that contain asbestos and learn what practices they should follow to avoid exposure. The booklet also provides tips to home mechanics that are most likely working out of their garage or in their driveway.
Last modified: December 09, 2009.
