Asbestos in Packards

Posted by Packard Newbie On 2017/5/22 19:17:19

I have been doing a considerable amount of work under the dash of my '39 Six - front bench seat removed, laying on my back, facing up into the under-dash. At the top I can see a burlap-like stuffing or padding, if you will; I don't know if it is there for sound absorption or insulating purposes, or what, but as I move wires around and disturb it in any way, a lot of dust and fiber lets go and kind of 'rains' down on me. I didn't think much of it at first, but then the thought occurred to me, in 1939, could there be asbestos in it?? Does anybody know if Packard used any asbestos-based material in the stuffing, padding or matting components of their cars? Would sure be nice to know, one way or the other. If they didn't, fine, and if they did, what do folks generally do about it?? Removing it from under the dash would be a bear of a job, and yet I wouldn't be comfortable leaving it there either. Any definitive info on this much appreciated.