Asbestos Brakes, Clutches, Hood liners & Elevator Brake Shoes
Automotive brakes and elevator brakes control, stop or slow the movement of vehicles and elevator cabs. Automotive clutches shift power from one driving component to another while hood liners are found on the inside of the hood and provide insulation from heat and noise.
For years, car components have often been manufactured using asbestos. Asbestos fibers are heat resistant and were used to line vehicle and elevator parts.
Automotive Brakes and Clutches
Foreign and domestic cars and trucks may contain asbestos. Asbestos-containing brakes cannot be identified by sight alone. If a car owner suspects that a car or truck contains asbestos, they may investigate the vehicle by:
- Contacting auto manufacturers
- Consulting with auto part retailers
- Reading packaging information, including labels or Material Safety Data Sheets
- Indentifying whether brakes are old or worn
Newer vehicles typically do not contain asbestos brakes. Discovering whether or not older cars or cars with brakes or clutches that have been replaced contain asbestos may be more difficult.
As brake and clutch lining wears down over time, asbestos dust may be emitted from the car component and can gather in clutch compartments. Auto mechanics may be exposed to asbestos through the following:
- Repairing brakes or clutches
- Replacing brakes or clutches
- Wiping off dust with a brush or compressed air
- Sanding or grinding the brake surface
- Drilling brake lining
- Removing disk, clutch cover or drum
- Sweeping asbestos dust in surrounding area
Asbestos fibers may not always be visible and may be swallowed or inhaled by those nearby.
Automotive Hood Liner
Asbestos hood liners are vehicle safety features used to protect the inside of the car from overheating and are designed to shield passengers and drivers from engine fire. Exposure to asbestos may occur in several processes associated with car components such as manufacturing, installation, removal or repair.
Airborne asbestos fibers are considered to be a health hazard and commonly affect automotive mechanics who perform vehicle maintenance.
Elevator Brake Shoes
Elevator brake shoes are safety devices that prevent the elevator cab from descending faster than the elevator's maximum safety speed. If the elevator cab descends too quickly, the brake shoes will clamp down on the elevator shaft, forcing the cab to stop.
Elevator shafts and pressure vessels may be lined with asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. If the materials are handled or disturbed, asbestos fibers may become airborne and affect those nearby who may inhale the fibers.
Asbestos is a fireproof material and was commonly coated and sprayed in elevator shafts during the manufacturing process. Workers involved in the following maintenance procedures may have been exposed to asbestos:
- Pressure or valve maintenance
- Construction
- Elevator inspection
Although there are certain regulations that require protective clothing, respirators and asbestos removal techniques, workers may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
