January 29, 2025

Auto Mechanics and Asbestos Exposure

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Asbestos
Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma
Unions & Trades
Philip J. Goodman

Legally Reviewed and Fact Checked by: Philip J. Goodman , Of Counsel

Auto Mechanics and Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known for its superior insulation properties — which made it especially attractive to automobile manufacturers. It became a key component of car parts for several decades into the 1980s, especially in brake, clutch and engine systems.

Drivers and passengers weren’t at great risk — but the auto mechanics who worked on these vehicles were repeatedly exposed to asbestos-containing products on a frequent basis. How did the exposure occur? Fibers from these parts could break free when they were moved or handled, entering the air where they could be inhaled by mechanics.

While asbestos is no longer used in automotive parts, auto mechanics who were exposed in the 1980s and earlier are still being diagnosed with related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. If you or a loved one are suffering from an asbestos-related illness, the attorneys of Serling & Abramson, P.C. are the experts to trust. Contact us for a free review of your case.

BorgWarner and Asbestos Use

One of the most well-known auto parts manufacturers involved in asbestos litigation is BorgWarner. The company began manufacturing automotive clutches containing asbestos in the 1920s, followed by asbestos-containing brake pads in the 1970s. These products were widely used across the automotive industry, including in professional auto repair shops and by amateur mechanics, often referred to as “shade tree” mechanics, who purchased parts from retail auto supply stores.

Asbestos-Containing Parts in the Automotive Industry

BorgWarner’s clutches and brake pads relied on asbestos for its durability and heat resistance—qualities critical in high-friction applications like braking systems and engine components. These asbestos-containing parts were used extensively in vehicles, exposing auto workers to asbestos dust released during the installation, repair, and maintenance of these products. Tasks like grinding, sanding, or removing worn components disturbed the asbestos material, causing microscopic fibers to become airborne.

Auto repair shops became hotspots for occupational exposures as workers frequently handled asbestos products without adequate protective measures. Additionally, the tight and enclosed spaces of repair bays often trap asbestos dust, further increasing the likelihood of exposure.

Health Risks for Auto Workers

Auto mechanics exposed to asbestos dust from BorgWarner’s parts and similar products were at significant risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. Prolonged contact with asbestos in auto repair environments has been linked to conditions such as:

  • Mesothelioma: A rare, aggressive cancer affecting the linings of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, caused exclusively by asbestos exposure.
  • Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk, especially in individuals who also smoke.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic respiratory disease caused by scarring of lung tissue from inhaled asbestos fibers.
  • Pleural Plaques: Non-cancerous thickening of the lung lining, indicating asbestos exposure and increased disease risk.

The latency period for these diseases often spans decades, meaning many former auto workers and mechanics are only now being diagnosed with illnesses related to their contact with asbestos decades ago.

BorgWarner’s Role and the Automotive Industry

BorgWarner’s asbestos-containing parts were a common feature in vehicles manufactured during the mid-20th century, a period when the automotive industry widely adopted asbestos for its affordability and effectiveness. However, as awareness of asbestos’ health risks grew, BorgWarner and other manufacturers faced mounting lawsuits from individuals affected by their products. Plaintiffs included both professional mechanics and those who worked on cars in their own garages, often without knowledge of the dangers.

The cases highlighted how occupational exposures in auto repair shops and home environments led to life-threatening illnesses. As lawsuits grew, plaintiffs were awarded millions in damages, holding BorgWarner and other manufacturers accountable for failing to warn consumers and workers about the risks associated with their asbestos products.

BorgWarner’s Asbestos Trust Fund

To manage its liabilities, BorgWarner eventually divested the subsidiary responsible for its asbestos-related claims. The company established a trust fund with $703.6 million to compensate victims, ensuring funds would be available for the next 50 years to cover claims from individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases linked to their products.

This trust fund allows victims to pursue compensation through a settlement action rather than a civil lawsuit, providing a faster and less expensive path to financial relief for auto workers and mechanics affected by asbestos exposure.

Protecting Today’s Auto Workers

While asbestos use in the automotive industry has significantly declined due to regulations, older vehicles and replacement parts may still contain asbestos materials. Modern auto repair shops must implement safety measures, including wearing protective gear, using proper ventilation, and following guidelines for handling older asbestos-containing parts. Awareness of past mistakes in the automotive industry helps prevent future occupational health risks, safeguarding today’s workers from the deadly consequences of asbestos dust.

Other Brands Also Posed Danger

The risk of asbestos exposure in the auto industry extended far beyond a single manufacturer, as numerous companies produced automotive parts laced with asbestos. These included brake shoes, clutches, and gaskets, which were essential for heat resistance and durability. Below is a list of manufacturers whose asbestos-containing parts contributed to widespread exposure:

  • Bendix: A significant supplier of asbestos-containing brake shoes and linings used in countless vehicles.
  • Raybestos: Produced brake pads and linings containing asbestos, widely used by professional and amateur mechanics.
  • American Brakeblok (Abex): Created asbestos-based products for brakes and clutches.
  • Wagner: Manufactured gaskets and other components containing asbestos materials.
  • EIS: Distributed asbestos-laden brake and gasket materials.
  • Gatke: Produced high-temperature-resistant gaskets containing asbestos.
  • Maremont (Grizzly Brakes): Known for asbestos-containing brake products under its Grizzly brand.
  • Johns Manville: A company infamous for its extensive use of asbestos in products across industries, including automotive parts.
  • Fomoco: Ford’s OEM parts brand, which incorporated asbestos in its early manufacturing processes.
  • Delco: A General Motors subsidiary that used asbestos in brake and clutch parts.
  • Mopar: Chrysler’s parts division, which included asbestos in numerous original and replacement components.

Risks of Exposure for Automotive Workers and Hobbyists

Automotive workers and hobbyists faced significant risks of asbestos exposure during routine tasks like brake shoe replacements, clutch repairs, and gasket maintenance. These activities often involved sanding, grinding, or replacing parts, releasing microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Workers unknowingly inhaled these fibers, which could settle in their lungs, leading to long-term health conditions, including pleural mesothelioma.

The auto industry relied heavily on asbestos due to its durability and heat resistance, especially in brake shoes and clutches. Mechanics performing clutch repairs or brake replacements, which might involve working on several cars per day or dozens per week, were repeatedly exposed to harmful asbestos dust. The situation was exacerbated in poorly ventilated environments like repair shops and garages.

Pleural Mesothelioma and Other Diseases

Prolonged or repeated exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing life-threatening conditions, including:

  • Pleural Mesothelioma: The most common form of mesothelioma, it affects the protective lining of the lungs and chest cavity. This disease often takes decades to develop, with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup around the lungs.
  • Lung Cancer: Linked to asbestos exposure, particularly in individuals who worked with automotive parts.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease caused by scarring from inhaled asbestos fibers.

Even short-term exposure during clutch or brake repairs could be enough to increase the risk of mesothelioma diagnosis, especially when proper safety measures were not in place.

Safety Measures in Automotive Work

To reduce the risk of asbestos exposure, the following methods were implemented over time:

  • Negative-Pressure Enclosure/HEPA Vacuum System Method: This system creates a sealed work area with negative pressure to prevent the spread of airborne asbestos fibers. HEPA vacuums are then used to safely collect and remove asbestos dust.
  • Wet Wipe Method: In this process, wet wipes are used to clean surfaces, reducing the chance of asbestos fibers becoming airborne. While not as effective as negative-pressure systems, it helps lower the risk of contamination during repairs.

Despite these advancements, many workers in the auto industry were exposed to asbestos for years before such safety protocols were developed, making mesothelioma lawsuits a vital avenue for pursuing justice and compensation.

Exposure Beyond the Repair Shop

Exposure to asbestos wasn’t limited to professional automotive workers. Amateur mechanics and car enthusiasts, often referred to as “shade tree mechanics,” were also at risk. Brake and clutch parts containing asbestos were widely available in auto parts stores, where everyday consumers could unknowingly purchase and install them at home. Without access to protective measures like HEPA vacuums or wet wipe methods, these individuals inhaled asbestos fibers during routine maintenance tasks, further increasing the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases.

Legal Recourse for Victims of Automotive Asbestos Exposure

As more individuals developed mesothelioma and other diseases linked to asbestos exposure, mesothelioma lawsuits against auto part manufacturers surged. Companies that knowingly manufactured asbestos-containing parts, despite the known risks, were held accountable for negligence. In many cases, victims successfully pursued settlements or claims through asbestos trust funds, such as BorgWarner’s $703.6 million trust designed to handle claims for the next 50 years.

If you or a loved one worked in the automotive industry or were exposed to asbestos during clutch repairs, brake shoe replacements, or other auto-related tasks, you may be eligible for compensation. The attorneys at Serling & Abramson, P.C. have decades of experience representing clients in asbestos litigation and can help you seek justice. Contact us today for a free case review.

Other trades at risk

Asbestos exposure was not limited just to auto mechanics — here are some of the trades known to have a similarly high risk of asbestos exposure:

  • Aircraft mechanics
  • Asbestos workers/insulators
  • Boilermakers
  • Bricklayers
  • Carpenters
  • Chemical plant workers
  • Construction workers
  • Crane operators
  • Custodians and janitors
  • Demolition workers
  • Drywall workers
  • Electricians
  • Firefighters
  • Foundry workers
  • General contractors and builders
  • HVAC workers
  • Industrial laborers
  • Ironworkers
  • Laboratory workers
  • Laborers
  • Lathers
  • Longshoremen
  • Machinists
  • Maintenance workers
  • Maritime workers
  • Masons
  • Merchant marine seamen
  • Millwrights
  • Navy yard workers
  • Painters
  • Paper mill workers
  • Pipefitters
  • Plasterers
  • Plastic mold makers
  • Plumbers
  • Power plant workers
  • Press operators
  • Railroad workers
  • Refractory bricklayers
  • Refinery workers
  • Roofers
  • Sheet metal workers
  • Shipyard workers
  • Spray insulators
  • Steamfitters
  • Steelworkers
  • Tile setters
  • U.S. armed service members
  • Utility workers
  • Welders

Holding auto parts companies accountable

The past can’t be changed. However, companies that were negligent and caused harm to countless people and their families can be held responsible for their actions.

If you worked as an auto mechanic or did your own auto repairs and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, reach out to Serling & Abramson, P.C. Our attorneys have handled countless cases involving asbestos exposure and, in just one brief discussion, can pinpoint the source of your exposure. We’ll determine which companies were negligent and provide you with options that will help you decide how to move forward — usually with a monetary settlement that can provide for you and your family in the years ahead.

Don’t let justice wait any longer — contact Serling & Abramson, P.C. for a free review of your case today.