Brake Dust Can Cause Mesothelioma Cancer

By Dennis Bandy Copyright © 2006,07,08



By sharing some of my experiences, my intention is to raise awareness of the possibility of asbestos being in the workplace. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is known to be caused by exposure to asbestos, the tiny fibers can be inhaled or ingested. It takes years for mesothelioma to set in after exposure to asbestos. There are several factors that can affect the onset of symptoms, the concentration of exposure, number of years on the job, if you are a smoker and your body's own ability to fight disease. I have worked in the automotive repair industry as an auto technician for over twenty years, I can't help but wonder about my own exposure to asbestos over the years. I certainly remember older mechanics when I first started out, cleaning drum brakes with compressed air. I realized at the time that this wasn't a good idea, I didn't think about how serious of a danger this was for everyone in the shop. 

With the knowledge of the risk, automotive technicians can reduce their exposure to asbestos dust. Many after market parts companies have stopped using asbestos in their products. However, asbestos is still used in some automotive brake linings, clutch friction material and gasket material from some manufacturers. Although many after market automotive brake pads are non asbestos it is best to handle them as if they were made with asbestos, who knows if the fibers in non asbestos pads and shoes will cause similar health issues years down the line.

Asbestos Used In Ship Building
My father was exposed to asbestos in the 1950's while working in a shipyard in New Port News Virginia as a pipe fitter. He spoke of how they mixed powder which contained asbestos and water in buckets to make a paste to apply to pipes for insulation. The asbestos he was exposed to resulted in him getting mesothelioma many years later. He passed away from mesothelioma cancer in 2004. My father was represented in a class action law suite that was handled by a lawyer in Miami, it resulted in a cash settlement. The settlement provided some peace of mind to my father, knowing that my mother would not suffer financialy, due to his passing.



Asbestos Plant Worker
Our son was involved in soccer in his younger years. It was there that my wife and I developed a friendship with one of the parents, Kay. In talking with Kay we learned her father used to work in an asbestos manufacturing plant. Kay's father unknowingly brought home high enough concentrations of asbestos to cause mesothelioma cancer in his family members. He passed away in his forties with his family developing health issues one by one. During the time we watched our children playing Kay was free of cancer but she said she was being tested yearly. Several years later we heard she was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

 

Reduce Exposure

 

By reducing exposure to asbestos dust the risk of getting mesothelioma cancer is reduced. One of the ways to reduce the amount of this harmful dust is to use a brake parts washer this is a prefered method of OSHA to clean brakes. There are many excellent sources on the internet to learn more about asbestos caused mesothelioma and ways to reduce exposure and how to work in the shop safely.