We discuss the many uses of asbestos in building materials (such as asbestos insulating board, asbestos cement, and asbestos textured coating) but did you know about these surprise uses of asbestos?

1. Asbestos Snow

Back in the 1930s and 1940s asbestos-based fake snow was a popular Christmas decoration. As much as this might sound enticing, this dangerous material is thought to have put anyone who was in contact with the fake snow at risk of inhaling asbestos fibres in quantities normally associated with those who worked in asbestos mines!

Baring in mind this was well before the dangers of asbestos were known, it was only December of last year that UKATA were warning us about vintage decorations – YIKES.

2. Asbestos Cigarette Filters

In 1952 – 1956 Hollingsworth & Vose Company produced filters containing crocidolite asbestos to use in their cigarette brand; Kent Micronite. The asbestos provided heat resistance filters contained asbestos to provide heat resistance and were unbelievably marketed as “the greatest health protection in cigarette history”. A study revealed that smoking one pack of original Kent Micronite a day would expose a smoker to 131 million crocidolite fibres a year.

3. Quilted Asbestos Mitts

Asbestos-lined mitts and mittens were used by workers in high-temperature industries including occupations such as: firefighters, iron workers, welders and steelworkers to name but a few. Workers in these occupations were even known to wear entire suites of asbestos-based clothing to protect against heat and corrosion.

Studies indicate that asbestos clothing resulted in a moderate to high level asbestos fibre inhalation. This is due to the movement of the body against the clothing creating a constant friction which results in loose fibres entering the air where they could be very quickly inhaled.

However, this being said, it is the workers who produced the asbestos-based mitts and mittens who were exposed to much higher levels of asbestos during the production process.



4. Dish Towels

Carosel Dish Towels were marketed in the mid twentieth century as a dish towel with 20% asbestos content to make it a superabsorbent with better polishing abilities than ordinary, non-asbestos dish towels.



5. Talcum Powder

In the 1960s talcum powder was known to contain asbestos fibres and classified as a carcinogenic. All home products are now legally obligated to be free from asbestos.



6. Car Break Pads

Asbestos was a common material used in certain car components and can be found in the break linings of older cars. During normal use the asbestos brake linings wear down through friction and as a result asbestos dust is released in a similar affect to sanding wood creates sawdust. Although the majority of this asbestos dust is trapped in the brake housing, when the break housing is opened the dust is released into the air where workers can inhale or ingest it.



7. Hair Dryers

Up until 1980 asbestos was contained in most handheld hair dryers. Repeated use of hair dryers increased the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases so this was particularly dangerous to hairdressers.

It was also estimated that at one point, up to five million asbestos-containing hand-held dryers were in circulation. Coming from several different manufacturers including Remington and Conair; who made up approximately 90 percent of all annual domestic hairdryer sales.