01. History of Asbestos Use
Ford Motor Company History of Asbestos Use
Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 and operated during a period of heavy asbestos use in the automotive industry. Ford’s use of asbestos in its brakes, clutches and other products is well documented. Its asbestos-containing parts have resulted in thousands of lawsuits against the company.
In 1908, Ford began selling its Model T, one of the best-selling cars of all time. At least some iterations of the Model T contained asbestos parts.
A few years later, the company had another triumph with the development of its integrated assembly line. This innovation helped make the Model T more affordable.
In 1922, the company acquired the Lincoln Motor Company and experienced continued success over the following decades.
However, as early as 1970, questions about the company’s integrity began to arise. People overseeing factory operations were discussing the risks of asbestos, including how exposure can lead to mesothelioma. Internal documents from the time reveal Ford’s awareness of the dangers of asbestos and its deliberate failure to warn employees, garage mechanics and others.
One memo from 1971 raises concerns that an asbestos ban would increase the cost of their brakes. Nearly a decade later, Ford began putting caution labels on its asbestos brakes and clutches. This coincided with an increase in federal regulations limiting asbestos use. Three years later, it started phasing out its asbestos-containing brake products.
By the early 1990s, the company only used asbestos brakes in Ford Mustangs and some limousines. But until at least 2001, some dealerships and authorized distributors continued to sell older models with asbestos parts.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Asbestos Products
Ford Motor Company Asbestos Products
For decades, Ford manufactured its cars with asbestos parts. It used asbestos as early as the manufacturing run of the Model T, which Ford discontinued in 1927. Ford asbestos products include:
- Brake linings
- Clutch linings
- Engines
- Firewalls
- Gaskets
- Transmissions
Some of these products, like the brake linings, were 40% – 60% asbestos by weight.
In addition to commercial cars, Ford also manufactured vehicles for the military during World War I and World War II. During World War II alone, it made planes, tanks, aircraft engines and other materials for the war effort. Their inventory included over 8,000 B-24 Liberator bombers.
03. Occupational Exposure
Ford Motor Company and Occupational Exposure
Ford’s asbestos use created exposure risks for many people. People working at Ford factories and auto repair shops faced occupational exposure risks.
Mechanics, including at-home mechanics, faced a particularly high risk of inhaling asbestos fibers. Repair and maintenance work created asbestos dust in several ways:
- Modifying brake components: Replacing brakes required workers to grind brake components to properly fit vehicles. Mechanical work also involves filing and sanding brakes as part of routine maintenance.
- Removing dust from brake drums: During normal use, dust accumulates in brake drums. It was common for mechanics to use an air hose to blow dust out of old brakes.
- Sweeping garages: Sweeping garages could kick up asbestos dust that had settled on the ground.
Veterans who used Ford tanks, airplanes and other military vehicles also faced risks from their asbestos parts. This is especially true if the vehicles were damaged.
Additionally, family members of factory workers and mechanics may have experienced secondary asbestos exposure. This can happen when a worker brings asbestos home on their clothes or in their hair. Many people have developed mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases from this type of exposure.
Ford Tries to Downplay the Risks of Occupational Exposure
In 2016, the Center for Public Integrity released the results of an investigation into Ford. It found that, since 2001, Ford had spent almost $40 million on funding biased scientific articles and testimony. The articles and testimony denied any link between being a brake mechanic and having an increased risk of mesothelioma.
The toxicologist hired to lead the inquiry, Dennis Paustenbach, was also known by the nickname “Dr. Evil” because of his work helping companies avoid liability for chemical hazards. He famously advocated on behalf of Pacific Gas & Electric Co. during the controversy surrounding the cancer-causing chromium 6. This case was referenced in the film Erin Brockovich.
Scientific reviews of the Ford studies note that the papers draw overly broad conclusions from earlier studies. The studies cited by Paustenbach had small sample sizes, vague job classifications and lacked data about exposures. Many workers in these studies may not have had any contact with asbestos brakes.
04. Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits Against Ford Motor Company
Ford has faced thousands of lawsuits from people who developed asbestos diseases after working with or using their products. According to Ford, most of the lawsuits against the company come from people who worked on brakes in their vehicles.
Examples of successful mesothelioma lawsuits against Ford include:
- $41 million for the wife of an auto shop owner: In 2018, a Delaware jury returned a verdict of over $41 million for the wife of a deceased auto shop owner. The owner passed away from mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos in Ford brakes and clutches.
- $20 million for a part-time mechanic and his wife: In 2022, a Missouri jury awarded $20 million to a mechanic and his wife after he developed mesothelioma. It found Ford responsible for exposures he experienced while working on the company’s brakes.
- $6 million for a manufacturing worker’s family: In 2022, a Missouri jury awarded $6 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma. She experienced asbestos exposure from repairing Ford brakes.
Many asbestos lawsuits do not reach a jury and end with settlements. Average settlements range from $1 million to $1.4 million.
Mesothelioma patients and family members can reach out to an asbestos attorney to explore their legal options. These attorneys have experience getting compensation for people harmed by companies like Ford.
Citations Against Ford Motor Company for Safety Violations
Ford has also faced legal trouble for failing to meet regulatory standards. For example, in 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the company’s Buffalo plant for safety violations.
OSHA proposed $41,800 in fines for eight violations at the plant. Violations included:
- Multiple instances of workers not wearing proper safety gear while working around asbestos
- A failure on the company’s part to monitor work areas for asbestos
- An instance of a pipefitter exposed to asbestos while working on a steam line
Workers have the right to report suspected safety issues. They can reach out to OSHA to file a complaint.
