Auto shop workers use and are exposed to many chemicals that can be harmful to human health. 

Auto refinishers and painters use and are exposed to paint additives, solvents, volatile organic compounds, and isocyanates, chemicals used in automotive paints and foams that are the main cause of occupational asthma. 

Auto mechanics and repair workers use and are exposed to antifreeze, diesel fuel, gasoline, lead products, oil spills, solvents, and brakes or clutches that contain asbestos. Automotive glass installers and repair workers may handle solvents and products that cause allergic skin reactions.

All auto shop workers are exposed to emissions from vehicles when the engines are running, and may be exposed to oil and gasoline spills, hazardous waste, and leaks from above ground and underground storage tanks. Vehicle emissions include chemicals that can be harmful to human health, including benzene, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds.

This description is based on the information found in the Web links listed with this topic.

Web Links from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Occupational Health

More Links
Asbestos - Auto Brake and Clutch Repair Work (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Auto Air Conditioners and the Ozone Layer (Environmental Protection Agency)
Auto Products. Household Products Database (National Library of Medicine)
Autobody Repair and Refinishing (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers. Haz-Map (National Library of Medicine)
Automotive Mechanics and Service Technicians. Haz-Map (National Library of Medicine)
Automotive Refinishing Partnership (Environmental Protection Agency)
National Automotive Environmental Compliance Assistance Center (Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair)
Vehicle Washing (Environmental Protection Agency) (PDF — 135 KB)
Virtual Auto Repair Shop (Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair)

Chemicals in the Auto Shop
Are these chemicals in MY community?
Acetone
Arsenic
Asbestos
Benzene
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Carbon Monoxide
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Diesel
Endocrine Disruptors
Ethylene Glycol
Ethylene Oxide
Formaldehyde
Gasoline
Lead
Methanol
Natural Gas
Nitrogen Oxides
Ozone
Particulate Matter
Perchlorate
Perchloroethylene (PCE, PERC)
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Propane
Solvents
Styrene
Sulfur Dioxide
Toluene
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Last Updated: October 16, 2012