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How a Small Engine Mechanic Can Get Mesothelioma by Occupational Exposure to Asbestos
Small engine mechanics inspect, service and repair motorized power equipment, such as motorcycles, motorboats or outdoor power equipment. They may work on anything from a snowmobile to a chain saw.
Many automotive parts contained asbestos because of its heat-resistant capabilities. Asbestos was used in a variety of automotive parts because of these capabilities, including brakes, heat seals and clutches. As these parts broke apart or disintegrated, asbestos fibers would become airborne and could be breathed in by the mechanics or could adhere to their clothing, which they or their families may have later inhaled.
Because repair shops often have limited circulation and poor indoor air quality, these asbestos particles could remain in the shop long after the repair work was completed.
Common job duties of small engine mechanics include:
- Diagnose the source and extent of mechanical, electrical and fuel system problems
- Test and inspect engines for malfunctioning parts
- Adjust components according to specifications
- Repair or replace worn, broken or defective parts
- Reassemble and reinstall components and engines after making repairs
- Perform routine maintenance on small engines, including replacing spark plugs and lubricating parts
- Use hand tools and machinery to make inspections and repairs and test engine performance
Locations in the United States with the Highest Employment Rates for Small Engine Mechanics
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 76,300 small engine mechanics currently employed in the United States. States with the highest employment rates for small engine mechanics include:
- Florida
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Michigan
Similar Occupations as Small Engine Mechanics
Some occupations that have similarities to the job duties of small engine mechanics include:
- Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians
- Automotive body and glass repairers
- Automotive service technicians and mechanics
- Diesel service technicians and mechanics
- Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians
- Small engine mechanics
Lawsuits and Settlements Involving Mechanics
There have been a number of lawsuits filed by mechanics, especially brake mechanics. Some notable cases include:
- An Alameda County jury in California in 2012 returned a verdict of $6.825 million against Ford Motor Co. in favor of a 69-year-old career mechanic who often handled asbestos-containing brakes, clutches, gaskets and other parts made by Ford Motor Co. The jury found the company guilty of defect product design, failure to warn of product defects and negligence.
- In 2016, the family of a former mechanic employed by Caterpillar, Inc. received a $12.5 million verdict against the company. The man worked as a mechanic for the company from 1969 to 1978. He repaired forklifts, which often involved working with asbestos-containing engines, valves, clutches, brakes and gaskets, all of which included asbestos. The man died in 2014 from lung cancer.
- In 2002, a New York County Supreme Court jury awarded the family of a deceased mechanic $53 million against 36 companies after the man died from mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure from working with the companies’ products.
Studies Related to Small Engine Mechanics and Asbestos
There have been a number of studies that have identified the risks of brakes and asbestos exposure. Small engine mechanics who worked on brakes may have been exposed to asbestos. Concentration of asbestos in brake components was estimated at 30% to 80%. It is estimated that approximately 900,000 automotive mechanics were exposed to asbestos dust from brake and clutch work. Using an air hose to clean surfaces and beveling were two of the most common methods that these workers were exposed to asbestos.
After research from 2002 to 2004 concluded that brake dust does not cause mesothelioma, a researcher conducted a follow-up study and found brake workers had higher asbestos fibers in their lung tissue due to their occupational exposure.
A Seattle Post-Intelligencer found that high exposure levels at brake repair shops could place approximately 10% of mechanics at risk for developing an asbestos-related cancer. They found dust found in repair shops and gas stations contained between 2.26% and 63.8% asbestos. Additionally, reporters found significant amounts of asbestos in two-thirds of brake jobs that were examined.
Types of Asbestos Products Used by Small Engine Mechanics
Small engine mechanics may have worked with asbestos products that were used in components of the vehicles they worked on. Asbestos-containing gaskets, valve rings, packing and heat seal material were contained in many types of vehicles and systems that transported fluids or gases. Automobile exhaust systems also contained asbestos gaskets at flanges along the exhaust pipes or at engines’ exhaust manifolds.
Manufacturers of Asbestos Products Used by Small Engine Mechanics
Some of the manufacturers that made automotive parts that small engine mechanics may have used or that otherwise exposed them to asbestos include the following:
- Advance Auto Parts
- Austin Auto Parts, Inc.
- AutoZone
- Bendix
- Canton Auto Parts, Inc.
- Caterpillar
- Daimler Chrysler
- Federal Mogul
- Fisher Auto Parts Company, Inc.
- Ford Motor Co.
- Forest City Auto Parts Company, Inc.
- General Motors, Inc.
- Genuine Parts Company
- Globe Foreign Auto Parts, Inc.
- G&T Auto Parts of Mid Orange, Inc.
- LAS Replacement Parts, Inc.
- L M Scanlon, Inc.
- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
- Pep Boys
- Pneumo Abex, LLC
- Potsdam Auto Parts, Inc.
- Raymark Industries
- Ren Auto Parts
