Aircraft Mechanics and Asbestos

How Were Aircraft Mechanics Exposed to Asbestos?

For much of the 20th century, many military and civilian aircraft mechanics were exposed to asbestos, putting them in danger of mesothelioma.

Asbestos was used in many aircraft parts and products thanks to its heat-resistant and insulating properties. Maintaining, repairing, and retrofitting aircraft put aircraft mechanics at risk of asbestos exposure.

As mechanics worked on various areas of the plane, they could have disturbed asbestos fibers. Breathing in or swallowing these fibers could cause mesothelioma 10-50 years later.

Quick Facts on Mesothelioma and Aircraft Mechanics

• Asbestos was used in thousands of planes for over 50 years.
• Many mechanics were exposed every day, increasing their mesothelioma risk.
• Brake linings, pads, and shoes used in planes were common sources of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma Hope can assist aircraft mechanics and loved ones who have developed this cancer. Get a Free Mesothelioma Guide to see how we can help you access top treatments, support resources, and financial compensation.

Asbestos Products Used by Aircraft Mechanics

A wide range of asbestos-containing products were used in planes and other types of aircraft before the health risks were widely known.

Mechanics had to install, repair, and replace these products daily, putting them at a high risk of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos products used by aircraft mechanics include:

• Adhesives: While these increased durability and resistance to heat and water, they often contained up to 25% asbestos.
• Aircraft brakes: Asbestos protected brakes from normal wear and tear. Asbestos particles stored in aircraft brake housings were released in clouds when mechanics worked on them.
• Brake pads and shoes: Brake pads, linings, and shoes created friction with wheels that could have released asbestos fibers.
• Epoxies: These sealants were frequently made with asbestos to protect against water and heat.
• Gaskets: Mechanical seals used in aircraft brakes to help withstand heat and pressure.
• Heat shields: Asbestos was considered a great material for heat shields and heating ducts since it reduced the risk of fires.
• Insulation: Asbestos insulation was frequently used to control noise, heat, and cold in airplane cockpits and passenger compartments.
• Protective clothing: Aircraft mechanics were required to wear protective gear and clothing that contained asbestos, including gloves and overalls.
• Other products: Glue and sealants for sectional panels, engines, hydraulic service lines, exhaust compartments, grommets, and control valves were just a few of many plane products made with asbestos.

Private companies that made and sold asbestos products hid or downplayed the health risks so they could continue to make a profit. In fact, the use of asbestos in planes didn’t stop until the early 1980s, when the public finally learned of the dangers.

Other Aircraft Workers at Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Mechanics were not the only people exposed to asbestos. Anyone who worked with or around asbestos-containing materials in planes was at risk of breathing in the tiny fibers.

Aircraft workers potentially exposed to asbestos include:

• Aerospace engineers
• Aircraft maintenance workers
• Electricians
• Factory workers
• Hangar employees
• Welders

Mechanics could also face indirect exposure while working in hazardous environments like hangers, airfields, and military aircraft carriers. Maintenance work on planes often released asbestos dust into the air, putting anyone nearby at risk.

Types of Aircraft That Used Asbestos

Thousands of planes, helicopters, and other aircraft used asbestos materials prior to the early 1980s.

Asbestos could be found in:

• Commercial airplanes
• Helicopters and rotary-wing aircraft
• Planes used for cargo and shipping
• Spacecraft and interstellar probes

If you or a loved one worked as a mechanic on any type of aircraft before the early 1980s, you could have been exposed to asbestos.

Military Aircraft Mechanics and Asbestos Risks

All U.S. military branches, including the Air Force, relied on asbestos before the dangers were widely known. By the height of World War II, asbestos was present in virtually every military airplane.

Out of all U.S. Air Force veterans, airplane mechanics had the highest risk of asbestos exposure, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Other Air Force roles that exposed veterans to asbestos include:

• Airman
• Airplane crew chief
• Aviation machinist’s mate
• Boiler tender
• Electrician
• Electronics technician
• Fuel specialist
• Heavy equipment operator
• HVAC specialist
• Mechanical/electrical engineer
• Navigation systems technician
• Pipefitter
• Technician

Shandi, a young Air Force veteran, followed her father’s footsteps into the service. He was an Air Force mechanic and accidentally exposed Shandi to asbestos used in military aircraft. She developed mesothelioma at just 26 years old.

“Asbestos is cheap and it works well, but at what cost? How many people do we have to lose?”

– Shandi, U.S. Air Force veteran with mesothelioma

Besides those in the U.S. Air Force, aircraft mechanics in other military branches were also exposed to asbestos. For example, U.S. Navy veterans on aircraft carriers were at a very high risk because both the planes and the vessels themselves contained asbestos materials.

Aircraft Mechanics and Asbestos-Related Diseases

Aircraft mechanics exposed to asbestos are at risk of several life-threatening illnesses, including cancer.

Notable asbestos-related diseases include:

• Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles.
• Asbestos lung cancer: This cancer can develop if asbestos fibers get trapped in an aircraft mechanic’s lungs.
• Asbestosis: This lung disease forms after asbestos fibers scar lung tissue, causing difficulty breathing. It’s not cancer, but it can be deadly.

Mechanics who were exposed to asbestos should see a doctor for regular screenings and report symptoms.

If you were exposed to asbestos and are concerned about mesothelioma, use our Free Doctor Match to connect with a specialist in your area.

List of Companies That Made Asbestos Aircraft Products

There were several companies that made and sold asbestos-containing products for use in planes and other aircraft. These companies knew asbestos could cause cancer but hid the truth for decades to keep making money.

Aircraft asbestos companies include:

• Airbus
• Boeing
• Bombardier
• Lockheed Martin
• Embraer
• General Dynamics
• Goodrich
• Goodyear

Thousands of mechanics were exposed to asbestos before the early 1980s — and are still at risk of mesothelioma today — due to the negligence of these corporations.

Aircraft Mechanics and Asbestos Compensation

Aircraft mechanics who develop mesothelioma may qualify for compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses.

Compensation options for aircraft mechanics with mesothelioma include:

• Mesothelioma lawsuits: You may qualify to sue companies that made the asbestos products you were exposed to. These lawsuits award $1 million or more on average. Our legal partners recently recovered $34 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran exposed to asbestos while working as a civilian mechanic.
• Asbestos trust funds: These trusts were set up by bankrupt manufacturers of asbestos-containing products and contain over $30 billion today. Our partner attorneys can file claims with multiple trusts, depending on your eligibility.
• VA benefits: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers benefits to veterans who develop mesothelioma from service-related asbestos exposure. Key benefits include $4,044.91 a month in disability compensation and free or inexpensive health care services.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about how we can help you pursue financial compensation after a diagnosis.

We Can Help Aircraft Mechanics With Mesothelioma

Aircraft mechanics didn’t deserve to develop life-threatening cancers like mesothelioma. Far too many mechanics are now suffering from this cancer and other diseases after being exposed to asbestos decades ago.

If you or a loved one is an aircraft mechanic with mesothelioma, reach out to us. Our team of registered nurses and Patient Advocates can help you understand your diagnosis.

We may also be able to help you:

• Connect with top doctors and cancer centers
• Pursue compensation often worth $1 million or more
• Secure or increase your VA benefits if you served
• Access other support resources

Call (866) 608-8933 now or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide for more information.