I was just doing research on asbestos (don't ask) and I came up with the realization or the thought I have had in the past... since break pads have a lot of asbestos in them, would the burning break (*cough* automatic transmission/big truck) syndrome be leaking deadly carcinogens into the atmosphere... or is it chemically changed once it burns and just a pain in the *** ?

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1984 Firebird T/A
305 LG4
T5 - Hurst Short Shifter
Edelbrock 600 CFM Performer Carb
Open Element Filter
Gutted Cat - 3" Exhaust to dual 2"
IROC 16x8 Wheels

 

the burning smell i dont think is very harmful, im no doctor but you dont go smelling burning brakes all day do you? a mechanic doing brake jobs all day would maybe be at risk, but when i do a brake job i try not to breath in all the brakedust.
but the burning smell maybe the other contents of the pad/shoe and not the asbestos, but who knows.
interesting question though!!

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87 z28 bowtie aluminum 420small block dry sump crower lt. wt. knife edged crank oliver lt wt rods brodix track 1's super ram intake slp 1 3/4 headers accel dfi art carr 700 r4 3.42 gears ssm sub frame/ladder bars.....other parts on the way ,soon to be finished!! couple more weeks!!!

 

Well since you did the research on asbestos you should know that the reason it's used is becouse it's really hard to burn. I think all you have to worry about it the dust because that has a high consentrate of asbestos in it. I'm sure that it is put into the air but I would highly doubt that what you breath in daily would evey amount to cancer.

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You put Mt. Dew in the gas tank!?!

Wow, look at it go!
1984 L69 305HO WS6 Firebird Trans Am
Current Mods[*] 2 1/2" Flowmaster cat back[*] gutted cat[*] 160 thermostat[*] all around polyurethane bushing kit from Energy Suspension[*] 3.73 Disk rear
Mods to come![*] 350 .30" SB [*] Comp Cam[*] Edelbrock RPM Proformer Package [*] 3.73 Posi Disk rear[*] Edelbrock TES headders - Yeah I like em![*] 150 lb shot Edelbrock Nitrous System[*] Edelbrock Aluminnum Signeture Series Valve covers.[*] 140 amp GM High Proformance Altnator

 

I think you'll be safe. Just as said before asbestos is very hard to burn. Nowadays, a small amount of asbestos is used in clutches and brake pads-as log as you don't put you head in the brake drum assembly and breathe in the dust- your small exposure to the burning smell shouldn't hurt you a bit. The reason people are so weary of asbestos is not due so much to cancer as it is to a more common asbestos disease- asbestosis. The whole thing is that people go beating on drums to try to break them loose (rust ridge) and release the micro size particles into the air. These paticles attach to the cilia in the lungs and prevent transfer of oxygen from lungs into the blood stream. This is something to seriously think about if you plan to be in the auto industry and do brake jobs all of the time. When I was a pre-med student, I saw a guy who had this disease- it was rather depressing. He happened to be a mechanic in his younger days(50's and 60's) and back then they didn't realize the danger of breathing in brake dust.

 

I second that, what camaro chick said
RRT

 

Do they still use asbestos in passenger car brakes?

 

Yes, they do still use asbestos, it hasn't been completely banned, just in industries where it poses the greatest threat on a daily basis...

 

I bet the NASCAR guys love that. They even have outside air piped in to them! Wonder if they have filters?

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1992 Pontiac Firebird 350/Six Speed
1987 Toyota Pickup 383/500+ HP

 

I think that the asbestos dust neutralizes the CFC's in the atmosphere and falls to earth as acid rain that has been purified by means of normal, everyday smog.

 

Speaking as a union mechanic there is nothing to worry about. First of all there is such a little amount of asbestos used in todays brake pads its hardley there. Seccond when asbestos is heated beyond something like 250 deg. it is no longer harmful to humans. And yes brakes do get hot. Go and ride your brake around a block and then touch your rim. We are fine.

 

its no more dangerous than changing your oil and getting it on your skin.