Asbestos Exists in a Variety of Common Products

You already know that asbestos exposure can be harmful and even fatal, but you may think that contact with the dangerous substance could be limited to those who work in shipbuilding and in factories. Yes, it is true that most asbestos victims became exposed to the mineral at work, and therefore, most people may think that asbestos their asbestos vulnerability risk is low.

Asbestos was used in the manufacture of common household products beginning in the 1900s, and that use extended to the 1990s. Amazingly, all asbestos products have not yet been banned in the United States.

Asbestos has been used in the manufacture of:

• Crayons
• Modeling clay (plasticine)
• Makeup for children
• Talc powder (think Johnson & Johnson)
• Electric ovens
• Baby bottle warmers
• Popcorn poppers
• Toaster ovens
• Washers and dryers

Asbestos can be used as an insulator. In portable hair dryers, for example, insulation commonly covers a heating element. In earlier hair dryer models, that insulation contained asbestos. The air driven from the hair dryer’s blower motor could pull apart the insulation and release the dangerous asbestos fibers called fibrils. If these fibrils were inhaled, asbestosis and/or mesothelioma, a deadly form of lung cancer, could result.

In addition, some common home appliance wires were previously insulated with an asbestos-containing material. If these wires were moved or were damaged during a repair, for example, fibrils could be released, and deadly lung disease could result.

Remember those gray cloth-like oven mitts your grandparents used as they took hot items out of the oven? Asbestos was frequently included in the mitt fabric because asbestos was heat resistant. Using a frayed oven mitt could cause a release of asbestos fibrils.

Encapsulated asbestos may not pose a problem if not disturbed. If a machine gasket contains asbestos and the gasket is not touched, there is usually no danger. Asbestos was used, however, in a discontinued product called chrysotile that looked like snow and was aptly referred to as “fake snow.” It was used to make Christmas decorations look more seasonal. The problem was that asbestos fibrils in the product were not encapsulated and could easily be inhaled.

In Australia, asbestos was used as a loose blown-in insulation. Blown-in insulation was preferred because it could find its way into many building nooks and crannies. Abating this type of asbestos problem today is extremely difficult, however, because the fibrils are easily disturbed.

TicToc is full of videos that show how to remove the once popular but now ridiculed popcorn ceilings. If you have a popcorn ceiling, it may be safe if it was installed after 1978, when most but not all asbestos use was banned. Pre-1978 popcorn ceilings can contain significant amounts of asbestos, and if you attempt to remove the ugly popcorn ceiling, you might be putting your life at risk by releasing toxic asbestos fibrils.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to and/or become ill from asbestos exposure, you need to consult a qualified attorney. The Throneberry Law Group does not charge fees unless a claim is resolved in your favor. The asbestos-exposure compensation field is complex and can be daunting for many. Call the Throneberry Law Group today at 888-506-1131. We have offices throughout the nation, and we can help you get the help you need.