Asbestos, mainly in compounds of phenolic resins, has been used in friction materials (brakes and clutches).

Some deadeners paints could contain asbestos fiber as inert filler. Cartons, tapes, canvas and ropes have been used for the insulation of some parts of the engine or of the bodywork.

It ‘been demonstrated contamination of asbestos fibers in the cabs of trucks produced after World War II and until the 70’s, caused by the degradation of the manufacturing of asbestos products (socks, headbands) installed on engine parts and conveyed within the cabins by the heating system, particularly for trucks with engine placed inside the car and segregated with “hood” inserted between the pilot seats.

The shoes could be abraded by friction to make the surface rough again (dressing) using sandpaper or file. Shoes by friction brake drum of heavy vehicles were subjected to a slight turning to calibrate the centering on the drum. The processing removed chip and freed fibers in the air.

The production of asbestos-containing friction from shoes has been prohibited, in Italy, by law 257/92 in 1994 and their use is continued until exhaustion.