Background: Extensive, overt asbestos exposure clearly causes lung cancer and mesothelioma. Elevated cancer risk has also been documented for short term or low levels of asbestos exposure. Automobile mechanics are potentially exposed to asbestos through brake repair work. Few studies have specifically examined the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma associated with exposure to asbestos in brakes, but automobile mechanics are included in many studies of occupation and cancer.
Methods: We critically reviewed all epidemiologic studies of lung cancer and mesothelioma risk among male automobile mechanics identified through a broadly based Medline search and scrutiny of references in primary and review articles. We discuss the studies grouped by study design and control for smoking, the major risk factor for lung cancer.
Results/conclusions: We reviewed all individual analytical studies meeting our criteria, plus all available case series and case reports. When examined in aggregate, the evidence did not support an increase in risk of either lung cancer or mesothelioma among male automobile mechanics occupationally exposed to asbestos from brake repair.