Re: Do head gaskets contain asbestos?
Probably contained asbestos, as long as you wore some kind of mask, the small amount you were breathing in won't hurt. The only way to clean it up is to hose down the garage, water is the only way to control the dust fiber, and still doesn't do a very good job. Your mask was probably worthless anyway, asbestos is so dangerous because it is so small in diameter, and your respiratory system can't filter it out. That small amount shouldn't hurt you, just try and refrain from getting the grinder out on older gaskets. The medical problems that asbestos facilitates usually come from prolonged exposure, like the concrete mixes they used to use it in, and insulation. It is only dangerous when airborn, so creating dust from an asbestos containing material is a bad idea. Sorry for the rant, but I work for an Environmental Engineer and I am a NY City asbestos investigator, so I'm a little bit sensitive to the issue.
Chris
'88 Wrangler 258 i6,Weber, Rubicon Extreme duty 2.5"