Asbestos exposure from brake pads is a significant health concern, particularly for mechanics and others who work with vehicle brakes. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was widely used in brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and other vehicle parts due to its heat-resistant properties. However, asbestos is a known carcinogen and can lead to serious health issues, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, especially when its fibers are inhaled.
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos in brake pads, and are now experiencing health issues, get in touch with Bailey & Glasser, LLP today to book a free consultation and discuss your options.
Brake Pads and Asbestos
Brake pads are a critical component of vehicle braking systems, and historically, many brake pads contained asbestos. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was favored for use in brake pads due to its durability and excellent heat-resistant properties. These qualities are essential in brakes, which generate significant heat and friction during operation.
- Heat Resistance: Asbestos’s ability to resist high temperatures without breaking down or catching fire made it an ideal material for brake pads, which are subjected to extreme heat during the braking process.
- Durability: The strength and longevity of asbestos fibers contributed to the extended life span of brake pads, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Asbestos brake pads were used in the following ways:
- Aircraft brakes, both civilian and military
- Cars and buses
- Construction vehicles, including trucks, dozers, and excavators
- Cranes and hoists
- Rail locomotives and various types of freight cars
- Ship anchor and propeller systems
Manufacturers of Asbestos Containing Brake Pads
Historically, many manufacturers in the automotive industry used asbestos in brake pads. This wasn’t limited to a specific region or type of manufacturer; it was a common practice globally, across various companies producing parts for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even heavy machinery.
Some historical manufacturers of asbestos containing brake pads include:
- Abex Corporation: Abex Corporation was formed by the merger of five railroad parts manufacturers. The company produced brake pads, brake blocks, brake shoes, and brake linings.
- Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.: An automotive parts manufacturer that produced clutches, brake linings, and brake pads.
- Dana Corporation: Established as the Spicer Company in 1904 as an automotive parts manufacturer. Dana Corporation produced thermal management accessories, driveshafts, axles, brake pads, transmissions, and gaskets.
- Ford Motor Company: Ford Motor Company sold various asbestos products, including brake pads, engines, gaskets, brake linings, clutch facings, and transmissions.
- National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA): Established by a group of independent automotive parts sellers, NAPA produced and sold mufflers, spark plugs, insulation, brake pads, and gaskets.
- Raymark Industries: Raybestos was an asbestos brake manufacturer. The company was founded in 1925.
Asbestos Exposure from Brake Pads
When brake pads that contain asbestos wear down, they can release asbestos fibers into the air. This is particularly hazardous during brake installation, repair, or replacement, as these activities can disturb the asbestos and make the fibers airborne. The risk is exacerbated in enclosed spaces like garages, where the concentration of asbestos fibers in the air can be high.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to several serious health conditions, primarily affecting the lungs and the membrane that surrounds the lungs. These conditions may not become apparent until many years after the exposure. The main health outcomes include:
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Scar tissue (fibrosis) forms in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough, and chest tightness. Asbestosis can be a progressive disease, meaning it can worsen over time.
- Mesothelioma: A rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is strongly linked to asbestos exposure and can take 20-60 years to develop after exposure. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fluid accumulation around the lungs.
- Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, chest pain, hoarseness, and weight loss. Lung cancer related to asbestos usually takes at least 15 years to develop after exposure.
- Pleural Effusions: These are abnormal accumulations of fluid between the layers of the membrane surrounding the lungs. While not always symptomatic, they can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing.
- Pleural Plaques: Thickened patches on the pleura, which are often asymptomatic but are indicative of asbestos exposure. They can calcify over time.
- Pleural Thickening: This is the general thickening of the pleura due to asbestos exposure. It can restrict lung expansion, leading to breathlessness.
Occupations Affected by Asbestos-Containing Brakes
The use of asbestos-containing brakes, especially in the past, has put certain occupational groups at a higher risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in brake pads and linings due to its durability and heat resistance, but its harmful health effects were not fully understood or acknowledged for a long time.
Occupations particularly affected include:
- Aerospace workers
- Aircraft mechanics
- Automotive glass repairers
- Automotive mechanics
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Avionics equipment mechanics
- Avionics equipment technicians
- Brake mechanics
- Farm equipment mechanics
- Heavy vehicle technicians
- Industrial electronics repairers
- Industrial machinery mechanics
- Machinery repair shop workers
- Motorcycle mechanics
- Railroad mechanics
For these occupations, you should note that the risk primarily comes from older equipment and vehicles. Modern brake pads and linings are typically made without asbestos, but workers dealing with vintage or older vehicles or machinery should be aware of the potential risk.
Brake Pad Asbestos Exposure Compensation Options
Many of the manufacturers of asbestos containing brake pads faced legal challenges as the health impacts of asbestos exposure became apparent. Workers and consumers who developed asbestos-related diseases often sought compensation for their exposure to asbestos in brake pads and other automotive parts.
If you’ve become unwell as a result of your exposure to brake pads containing asbestos, first, you need to speak to a doctor. Then, book your free consultation with Bailey & Glasser, LLP and learn what avenues are open to you.
You could be eligible to file a claim and seek compensation for your injuries. Our team is equipped to provide you with essential resources and dedicated support, aiming to achieve the most favorable result in your mesothelioma injury case.
