Automotive and Asbestos: What’s the Connection?

As the automotive industry boomed across America, manufacturers and mechanics were
constantly looking for cost effective, quality parts to build and maintain vehicles of all types
from motorcycles and cars to busses and trucks. From the assembly lines of major manufacturers
like Ford and General Motors in Michigan to mechanic shops and hobbyists’ garages across the
country, asbestos found its way into many areas automotive-related. Given the incredible
insulating abilities of asbestos and its cheap price tag, many different automotive parts came to
have some form of an asbestos component in them.

Under the hood, the liners were often composed of asbestos fibers to keep the surface of
the vehicle from overheating. These were often sheets of asbestos that would have been applied
around the engines as well to assist with temperature control. Spark plugs and wire loom have
been known to contain asbestos and replacing them often knocked asbestos fibers loose. Gaskets,
packing, valves, and heat seals would be used throughout the vehicle to help regulate the
temperature with various types of gaskets found in cylinder heads, oil pans, manifolds, and
pumps. Each of these were often composed of asbestos fibers as well.

Near the wheels, both clutches and brake components such as linings and pads have been
shown to regularly contain asbestos to assist with controlling the heat created from friction when
the clutches and brakes were in use. Though not as frequent now, even today brake components
can have up to 35% asbestos in the composition of the finished product, and the friction grinds
off fibers that can include asbestos dust. Given the frequency of brake changes a mechanic would
encounter during their career, they’re at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, but
even car hobbyists and everyday individuals who did their own brake changes could encounter
the hazardous materials.

Towards the rear of the vehicles, heat shields, mufflers, and muffler repair compound all
had asbestos components to assist with fire prevention. Throughout the undercarriage, a layer of
paint on the undercoating was often composed of asbestos fibers as well due to the benefits of it
as a filler and strengthener.

Within the vehicle, asbestos insulation was often used in the floor and firewall. The air
conditioning housing units could contain up to 55% asbestos. Electrical wiring within the dash
and body often was coated in asbestos to limit fire hazards, and adhesives with asbestos cement
components were mixed with other materials to create an adhering compound for body panels.
Body putty, used to fill in areas, has also been known to have asbestos in it.

Even detail work like decal striping has shown traces of asbestos! When it comes to the
automotive industry, there was no avoiding asbestos, especially in the mid 20 th century when it
seemed asbestos products were everywhere you turned. With Detroit as the center of the auto
industry it’s unsurprising to learn that many asbestos exposure sites are found within and around
the city. Companies with manufacturing facilities in the area including Ford Motor Company,
General Motors, Chrysler, Plymouth, the Continental Motor company, and the Hudson Motor
Car Corporation. Additionally, workers in the following Michigan automotive plants were likely
to have been regularly exposed to asbestos as well:

Ford Motor Company:

– River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, MI
– World Headquarters in Dearborn, MI
– Factory in Farmington, MI
– Factory in Lincoln Park, MI
– Factory in Livonia, MI
– Factory in Monroe, MI
– Factory in Northville, MI
– Factory in Owosso, MI
– Factory in Plymouth, MI
– Factory in Wayne, MI
– Factory in Ypsilanti, MI
– Hardware and Accessories Division in Owosso, MI

American Car and Foundry Company:

– Factory in Detroit, MI

American Motor Company:

– Factory in Detroit, MI

General Motors Company:

– Diesel Equipment Division of General Motors in Grand Rapids, MI
– General Motors Corporation in Grand Rapids, MI
– General Motors Pontiac Division in Pontiac, MI
– General Motors Truck Company in Pontiac, MI
– General Motors Company in Pontiac, MI
– Central Foundry in Saginaw, MI
– Saginaw Steering Gear in Saginaw, MI
– Grey Foundry in Saginaw, MI
– General Motors Company in Flint, MI
– General Motors in Adrian, MI
– General Motors in Bay City, MI
– General Motors in East Lansing, MI
– General Motors in Grand Blanc, MI
– General Motors in Jackson, MI
– General Motors in Kalamazoo, MI
– General Motors in Livonia, MI
– General Motors in Ypsilanti, MI
– Chevrolet in Livonia, MI
– Chevrolet in Warren, MI
– Detroit Transmission Division of GMC in Plymouth, MI

Chevrolet:

– Chevrolet Forge Plant in Detroit, MI
– Chevrolet Motor Plant in Detroit, MI
– GM Chevrolet Forge Plant in Detroit, MI
– Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan in Flint, MI
– Chevrolet New Personnel Building in Flint, MI
– GM Chevrolet Assembly Plant in Flint, MI
– General Motors Company in Pontiac, MI
– Central Foundry in Saginaw, MI
– Saginaw Steering Gear in Saginaw, MI
– Grey Foundry in Saginaw, MI
– Chevrolet North Plant in Bay City, MI
– Chevrolet Powerhouse in Bay City, MI
– Detroit Transmission Division of GMC in Plymouth, MI

Chrysler/Dodge:

– Dodge Main Plant in Detroit, MI
– Dodge Truck Division of Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, MI
– Chrysler Corporation in Hamtramck, MI
– Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park, MI
– Chrysler Corporation in Warren, MI
– Dodge Main Plant in Hamtramck, MI
– Chrysler Mount Road Plant in Monroe, MI

Greyhound:

– Greyhound Bus Terminal in Detroit, MI

Lincoln:

– Lincoln Motor Company in Detroit, MI

Maxwell Motor Car Company:

– Maxwell Motor Car Company in Detroit, MI

Saxon Motor Car Company:

– Saxon Motor Car Company in Detroit, MI

Cadillac:

– Cadillac Plastic and Chemical Company in Flint, MI

Dort:

– Dort Motor Car Company in Flint, MI
– Durant-Dort Carriage Company in Flint, MI

Flint Motor Company:

– Flint Motor Company in Flint, MI

Motor Wheel Corporation:

– Motor Wheel Corporation in Flint, MI
– Motor Wheel Corporation in Ypsilanti, MI

Olds Motor Company:

– Arbuckle Ryan Company for Olds Motor Company in Lansing, MI
– Oldsmobile Forge Plant in Lansing, MI

V8 Engines:

– V8 Engine Plant in Flint, MI White Motor Company
– White Motor Company in Lansing, MI

Vehicle Supply Company:

– Vehicle Supply Company in Saginaw, MI

Continental Motors Company:

– Continental Motors Company in Muskegon, MI

Mercury:

– Mercury Station Wagon Plant in Wayne, MI