Mechanics who work with brakes, clutches and gaskets that contain asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer. Symptoms of these asbestos-related diseases may not appear for 20-60 years after a mechanic's initial exposure.
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How Auto Mechanics Are Exposed to Asbestos
Hobbyists, do-it-yourselfers and professional mechanics alike can come into contact with asbestos when working on car parts. Asbestos is a heat-resistant mineral that was commonly used in car parts through the 1980s. It’s still present in many older cars and imported auto parts from countries that continue to actively use asbestos.
A study in Epidemiology: Open Access estimated that 730,000 documented workers in the U.S. are at risk of asbestos exposure from brake repairs alone. Current estimates report that millions of DIY mechanics are also at risk of asbestos exposure.
Manufacturers once made drum and disc brakes with 35% to 60% asbestos. Most car makers stopped using asbestos in new brake pads in the 1990s. A rule the Environmental Protection Agency announced in March 2024 bans chrysotile asbestos in aftermarket brakes, brake linings and other vehicle friction products. It bans importing, making, distributing and commercially using the mineral in these parts, starting about 6 months after the rule took effect.
This rule doesn’t require anyone to remove parts already installed in older vehicles, so these parts can still contain asbestos. As of September 2026, the rule faces a legal challenge in federal court. As a result, both professionals and DIYers are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
Places Auto Mechanics May Encounter Asbestos
Auto mechanics can be exposed to asbestos in auto parts that contain the toxic mineral. Hobbyists and auto mechanics working on older cars are especially at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma. This is because older cars are more likely to contain asbestos parts than newer cars.
Auto Mechanics and Asbestos Exposure
Auto parts supply stores: Older stock and imported replacement parts from unknown sources may still contain asbestos. Mechanics may encounter these parts in supply stores.
Home garages: Home garages, especially those of classic car collectors, pose a high risk of asbestos exposure for auto mechanics.
Manufacturing plants: Auto factory workers were once commonly exposed to asbestos and could potentially still be at risk when assembling cars with imported auto parts.
Repair shops: Repair shops see vehicles of all ages, some of which may be old enough to contain asbestos components.
Train stations: Many older trains still use asbestos components, and mechanics may face exposure during maintenance.
Truck stops: Some trucks still contain asbestos components that may be disturbed while an auto mechanic is doing repairs or maintenance.
Asbestos exposure poses an extreme threat to human health. Whether you deal with auto parts as a hobby or career, research and follow safety guidelines to avoid exposure.
Exercise extreme caution when working in any environment where you could risk asbestos exposure. Inhaling even a small amount of asbestos dust can be dangerous, so protecting yourself and others is essential.
Mechanics who work on older cars may encounter asbestos-containing parts such as hoods, brakes and clutches. Contaminated parts can be in any vehicle, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, trains and military vehicles.
Asbestos brakes and clutches were also present in elevators and other types of transportation machinery. It’s safest to assume older parts contain asbestos and exercise caution.
Car Parts Containing Asbestos
Adhesive: Asbestos cement was often mixed with other materials to make a body panel adhesive.
Air conditioning housing: The housing around automobile air conditioning units contained asbestos.
Body putty: Asbestos was helpful as an auto-body filler compound.
Brakes: Both the housing and linings of brakes, collectively called brake shoes, have contained asbestos.
Clutches: Manufacturers used asbestos in clutch linings to control the heat generated by friction.
Decal stripes: Decorative decal stripes once contained asbestos.
Electrical insulation: Asbestos-containing insulation, sometimes called wire loom, was used around electrical parts to prevent overheating.
Gaskets, packing, valves and heat seals:Asbestos gaskets, packing, ring valves and heat seals have been used throughout vehicles to regulate temperature.
Heat shields: Asbestos-containing heat shields were used around mufflers to prevent fire.
Insulation:Asbestos insulation was present in cars, including floor and firewall insulation. Asbestos insulation on trains included boilers and pipes.
Mufflers and muffler repair compound: Mufflers and the compound used to repair them contained asbestos.
Sheets and hood liner sheets: Asbestos sheets around engines and as hood liners controlled temperature.
Soundproofing: Asbestos soundproofing material was used inside body panels to reduce noise inside the vehicle.
Spark plugs: Some spark plugs contained asbestos.
Undercoating: The undercoating of automobile paint often contained asbestos fibers as a filler and strengthener.
Woven asbestos backing: Some vehicles had woven asbestos backing underneath the floor carpeting.
Though asbestos car parts are now much rarer, they were once unregulated. As a result, asbestos-containing car parts may still be found in older vehicles, and auto mechanics may continue to face exposure to asbestos fibers.
Imported parts have also been a source of asbestos. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Mineral Commodity Summaries of January 2024 noted “the exhaust system of a specific type of utility vehicle” and “some vehicle friction products” imported into the U.S. as of 2020 were known to contain asbestos.
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Brake makers generally don’t use asbestos in new brake pads sold in the United States, but it can still turn up in older vehicles, used or stockpiled parts and some imported replacement parts. You can’t tell whether a brake pad contains asbestos just by looking at it. It is safest to treat older or unlabeled brake and clutch parts as if they do.
Manufacturers replaced asbestos with other friction materials. These are commonly described as non-asbestos organic, semi-metallic and ceramic formulas. A label indicating a part is asbestos-free is helpful, but original parts on older cars and imported parts without clear labels may not include this information.
Lab testing is the most reliable way to confirm whether a part contains asbestos. A trained asbestos professional should take the sample because taking it yourself can release toxic fibers.
Manufacturers of Asbestos Auto Parts
Many companies stopped production of asbestos auto parts in the 1980s when the first asbestos regulations appeared. According to the EPA, the March 2024 ban of chrysotile asbestos in the U.S. covers aftermarket brakes and other vehicle friction products.
Most of these companies stopped making or selling asbestos-containing auto parts decades ago. However, mechanics and car owners can still encounter original asbestos parts from these companies when working on older or used cars.
Some companies that produced asbestos auto parts, including Raymark Industries and Federal-Mogul, filed for bankruptcy. Asbestos trust funds pay claims tied to their products. If you were exposed to asbestos through these products, you may have asbestos compensation options.
Occupations at Risk of Asbestos in Cars
Workers at auto assembly plants, repair shops and supply stores were exposed to asbestos. Train stations, bus stations, truck stops and auto part manufacturing plants also exposed workers. Even toll road collectors face a higher risk of asbestos-related diseases from repeated exposure to asbestos in brakes.
Automotive Occupations at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Danielle DiPietro, a Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center, says, “It’s very common for mesothelioma patients to have at least some exposure that falls in the category of auto mechanic. However, a patient’s main occupation isn’t always an auto mechanic. I have found that many patients did some of their own auto work, especially changing brake pads.”
My father sold used auto parts. Then I became a mechanic in our household, disassembling cars I was in contact with asbestos in the clutches and brakes.
Epifanio F., peritoneal mesothelioma survivor
Auto Mechanics and Asbestos-Related Diseases
Because of their heavy, prolonged occupational exposure, auto mechanics are at a higher risk of developing diseases like pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Family members of auto mechanics are also at risk of secondary asbestos exposure from fibers that are brought home accidentally.
The level of risk depends on the type and amount of work. Mechanics who did frequent brake and clutch jobs, especially before the 1990s, generally had the heaviest exposure.
Many mechanics deal with oil or grease while working. These fluids can stick to hands and clothes and asbestos fibers can stick to oils and grease. In this way, workers can bring home asbestos fibers. A mechanic’s family and household may then develop mesothelioma.
Early diagnosis is key to better outcomes for mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers. If you’re an auto mechanic or their loved one, speak with your doctor about your history of asbestos exposure. If you experience symptoms, seek a mesothelioma specialist as soon as possible.
Survivor Experience
“Yes, my cancer was 100% asbestos related. My first exposure to asbestos was at birth. My father was a career mechanic. The grit on his uniform (clothing) was asbestos dust from brake pads and clutches.”
Wendy M., pleural mesothelioma survivor
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
Auto Shop and Home Mechanic Safety Measures to Reduce Asbestos Exposure
Fixing brakes or clutches can release harmful asbestos fibers, putting professional mechanics and DIYers at risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency have created guidelines to help you avoid this danger. These safety steps are essential for protecting yourself, your workers and your family.
OSHA-Approved Methods for Professional Auto Shops
Professional mechanics must follow OSHA regulations to limit asbestos exposure, especially during brake and clutch repairs. OSHA endorses 3 primary methods, which vary based on the number of jobs a shop performs per week.
Managing Asbestos in Auto Shops
Low-pressure/wet cleaning method: For shops performing more than 5 brake or clutch jobs weekly, low-pressure spray equipment wets the area, collecting runoff in a tray. The collected material should be properly disposed of afterward.
Negative-pressure enclosure/HEPA vacuum method: An alternative for high-volume shops, attach a vacuum box to create an airtight seal around the brake or clutch, preventing asbestos dust from escaping. The vacuum must have a HEPA filter.
Wet-wipe method: For shops doing 5 or fewer brake or clutch jobs weekly, spray a water-detergent mix onto the system and wipe it down with disposable rags. Then, dispose of the wipes as asbestos waste.
These methods, though dated, are still the most recent guidance from OSHA and the EPA. They remain effective in controlling asbestos exposure in professional settings.
EPA Best Practices for All Mechanics
The EPA’s Asbestos Worker Protection Rule offers additional recommendations that complement OSHA’s requirements. They apply to both professionals and home mechanics.
EPA-Recommended Asbestos Management
Avoid blowing dust: Never use compressed air, dry rags or brushes to clean brake or clutch components. They can release asbestos fibers into the air.
Enclosed or wet methods: Use either an enclosed HEPA vacuum system or a low-pressure wet method when proper equipment isn’t available.
Limit exposure: Keep others out of the work area and never eat or drink near brake or clutch jobs.
Use proper equipment: Always use a wet/dry vacuum with a HEPA filter. Standard vacuums or garden hoses aren’t safe.
Knowing about asbestos in car parts is important to reduce risks. Mechanics should wear protective gear like masks (tight-fitting respirators with HEPA filters, specifically P100 or equivalent) and gloves when handling materials that may contain asbestos and ensure good airflow.
Additional Guidelines for At-Home Mechanics
DIY mechanics aren’t legally required to follow EPA safety guidelines. However, the agency strongly encourages strict precautions.
Tips for Hobbyists and DIY Mechanics
Protect your household: Don’t bring asbestos dust into your home. Set up a decontamination area outside and avoid reusing contaminated clothes. Dispose of them with asbestos waste.
Buy safe parts: Use pre-ground, ready-to-install brake or clutch parts. Grinding asbestos parts makes them more friable and dangerous.
Use the right tools: Ensure machinery has a HEPA filter and dust collection system.
Dispose of waste properly: Wet all asbestos waste and double-bag it in 6-mil plastic bags. Place bags in a sealed, leak-tight container labeled as asbestos waste and bring them to a designated landfill.
Professional handling is always the best option, given the safety risks and legal requirements. DIY work and improper asbestos waste handling increase exposure risk and can harm landfill workers.
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Auto workers exposed to asbestos may be eligible for compensation that can cover medical costs and lost wages. A mesothelioma attorney can help you file a legal claim against those responsible for your exposure. Treatment for asbestos-related conditions is costly, and funds obtained from a settlement can assist in covering these expenses.
Previous lawsuits have resulted in significant payouts for auto mechanics with successful claims. Some of these cases have resulted in multimillion-dollar awards. In Arkansas, mechanic Ronald Burlie Thomas developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure and died. In 2019, a federal jury awarded more than $18.5 million in his family’s case against Honeywell International. Honeywell settled with the family for an undisclosed amount shortly before the verdict.
In July 2025, a New York appeals court upheld a jury’s decision for Joseph Skrzynski, a former Ford parts worker diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. Skrzynski handled Ford brake parts daily and was near mechanics doing brake work. Ford said Skrzynski wasn’t a mechanic and that the evidence was weak, but the court disagreed.
Additionally, Susan Carboni, executor of Francesco Carboni’s estate, is suing multiple companies after Francesco died from lung cancer from asbestos exposure while working as a mechanic. A judge allowed the case to move forward because the companies didn’t share important information needed to decide who’s responsible. The companies had taken part in the case for years, but now must provide more details before the court can make a ruling.
Lung Cancer Risk for Auto Mechanics
Asbestos dust from brake and clutch work can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos-related lung cancer starts inside the lung tissue itself, while pleural mesothelioma, the most common type, begins in the thin lining around the lungs.
Lung cancer that develops because of asbestos exposure usually appears many years after a person first encounters asbestos. Doctors who assess whether asbestos played a role in a person’s lung cancer generally look for at least 10 years between the first time the person encountered asbestos and their diagnosis.
Smoking and asbestos together raise lung cancer risk far more than either one alone. A 2019 review in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health looked at a large study of U.S. insulation workers. The study found that smoking alone raised lung cancer risk about 10 times, asbestos exposure alone raised it about 5 times, while both together raised it about 50 times when compared with people who neither smoked or encountered asbestos. Quitting smoking lowers that risk over time.
A smoking history doesn’t automatically rule out a legal claim. Courts typically ask if asbestos exposure substantially contributed to the cancer, not whether it was the only cause. An attorney who handles an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit can review your work history, including brake and clutch jobs. They can also explain options such as lung cancer settlements and asbestos trust fund claims.
Common Questions About Auto Mechanics and Asbestos
I smoked. Can I still file an asbestos lung cancer claim?
You may still be able to. A smoking history doesn’t automatically disqualify you from filing an asbestos lung cancer claim. Courts generally apply a substantial factor standard. This standard asks if asbestos exposure substantially contributed to your cancer, not whether it was the only cause.
In some states, a smoking history may reduce the amount of compensation under comparative fault rules. These rules can lower an award based on your share of responsibility. An attorney can review your medical records and work history, including any brake, clutch or gasket work, and explain what applies to you.
I worked on brakes but never had an asbestosis diagnosis. Do I still qualify?
You may. You generally don’t need an asbestosis diagnosis to file an asbestos-related claim. Asbestosis is a separate lung-scarring disease that heavy asbestos exposure can cause. It isn’t a step on the way to cancer.
What matters most is your diagnosis, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer, and evidence of your asbestos exposure. For lung cancer, a 2019 research review concluded that the total amount of asbestos exposure increases risk and that you don’t need asbestosis for your risk to rise. Doctors and courts may still treat asbestosis as one sign of heavy exposure, along with your work history and medical records.
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Epifanio F. , peritoneal mesothelioma survivor
