Mesothelioma Attorney
Asbestos in Car Clutches
In any car, regardless of whether it has a standard or automatic transmission, will have a clutch in order to allow the car to move through its gears. For a long time, because of the potentially large amount of heat near the clutch as well as the durability required for such an integral part of a car, clutches contained asbestos.
Asbestos has been a recognized carcinogen since the 1970s, possibly earlier. The fiber gets inside of a person’s lungs and, with time, irritates the lungs resulting in scar tissue. The scar tissue does not always form with the same genetic material because of the presence of the asbestos. This, with more time, leads to mesothelioma and other lung diseases tied to the original asbestos fibers.
Mechanics, both professionals and hobbyists, are all in great danger of exposure to asbestos whenever they replace a clutch or do anything to the clutch. The clutch, when it allows the gears to shift, gets ground down with time. This friction and decay releases the asbestos fibers into the areas surrounding the clutch.
When these areas are opened up, the influx of fresh air stirs up the dust and asbestos fibers allowing for them to be inhaled by the mechanic performing the work on the car. If the mechanic handles the decaying or disintegrating clutch, there is a possibility for the fibers to get on his or her hands and then be swallowed while eating.
Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney
If you worked for years as a mechanic and have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos related disease, contact the mesothelioma attorney of Williams Kherkher at 1-800-220-9341.
