Catalytic Converters and Asbestos

Background on Asbestos and Catalytic Converters

Asbestos was once considered a “miracle mineral,” renowned for its inherent strength, resilience, and heat-resistant properties. 

People have mined, manufactured, and traded asbestos for thousands of years. In Ancient Egypt, embalmers would often wrap the bodies of their deceased pharaohs in asbestos-based linen, which protected mummies from rapid decomposition. 

During the Industrial Revolution, companies across the United States, Europe, and Australia used asbestos to meet rising demand for affordable, durable housing. For over 100 years, American industry thrived off asbestos, putting the mineral in everything from brake pads to wall paint. 

The Connection Between Asbestos and Catalytic Converters

Automobile manufacturers and automotive parts makers used asbestos-containing materials for a variety of purposes. Every type of asbestos is: 

• Durable 
• Heat-resistant
• Resilient to corrosion 

Since many vehicle parts are subjected to intense mechanical and environmental forces, asbestos was used to reinforce components that faced high friction or intense engine heat.

Asbestos was used in a lot of automotive products, including brake pads and even catalytic converters.

Asbestos is frequently found in the following automotive products, especially products that were manufactured before 1980: 

• Air hoses 
• Brake pads 
• Brake linings
• Clutches 
• Clutch linings 
• Engine parts 
• Gaskets 
• Heat seals
• Hood liners 
• Insulating materials 
• Muffler 
• Valve rings

Asbestos was rarely, if ever, used to manufacture catalytic converters. 

However, since catalytic converters are designed to withstand high temperatures, some automobiles could contain aftermarket asbestos products in or around the catalytic converter. 

In some cases, mechanics and car enthusiasts used asbestos-containing wrap, tape, and cloth to either insulate or reinforce automotive structures. These products could be almost anywhere inside a car but are most commonly found around heat-sensitive components in older vehicles.  

The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure 

Asbestos exposure still presents a serious health hazard. 

Common conditions attributed to asbestos exposure include but are not limited to: 

• Asbestosis, or the scarring of lungs caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. 
• Pleural disease, a non-malignant lung condition that affects the pleural membranes encasing the lungs and chest, making it more difficult to breathe. 
• Mesothelioma, an unusually aggressive form of cancer that can affect the tissue surrounding most of the body’s major internal organs. People who inhale asbestos are most likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma of the lung.  
• Different cancers, including lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and even stomach cancer. People who have a history of both cigarette smoking and exposure to asbestos face are much more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than people who have a history of only cigarette smoking or only asbestos exposure. 

However, even aggressive asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma often present no immediate symptoms. 

Since mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses have latency periods that can exceed 50 years from the first asbestos exposure, many people do not realize that they were exposed to asbestos until they begin experiencing critical respiratory problems later in life. 

The Costs of Automotive Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos-related illnesses often exact harsh financial and physical tolls.

Since asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos diseases many not present any symptoms for decades after the first asbestos exposure, people who are diagnosed with these life-changing conditions often struggle to afford effective medical treatment. 

Even with a comprehensive health insurance policy, the costs of mesothelioma treatment can average between $11,000 and $12,000 per month.

Mesothelioma patients could also suffer other losses, including: 

• Payment for prescription drugs, such as painkillers and chemotherapy pills. 
• Physical therapy, which is mandatory for many cancer patients. 
• Lost income from work. 

AsbestosClaims.Law

For Justinian C. Lane, getting compensation for asbestos victims is personal.

Justinian’s grandparents and his father all worked with asbestos in their younger years and died from asbestos-related cancers in their later years.  

At the time of each of their deaths, no one in Justinian’s family knew that they were eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit and to seek compensation from the asbestos trusts.

Because no one in Justinian’s family knew their options, they never received any compensation for the death of their loved ones. 

If you believe that you or your family member’s injury was related to asbestos exposure, you could be entitled to significant compensation.

This is money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

There are also asbestos trusts that offer compensation much more quickly and easily (without filing a lawsuit.)

If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.

In addition to legal claims, veterans disability, social security and employment protection like workers compensation, FELA and The Jones Act for maritime workers, there are asbestos trusts that have been set up to compensate those harmed by asbestos without having to file a lawsuit.

There is no risk or cost to speak with one of our staff about your asbestos litigation. There are no fees unless you receive money.

If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.

Introducing the largest database of asbestos information on the planet.
W.A.R.D., which stands for the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, helps clients to narrow down when and where they may have been exposed, as well as which products may still contain asbestos. W.A.R.D. will also help indicate compensation types and how much a person may be entitled to.