Back in early June 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert warning people to stop using the Claire’s Jojo Siwa Makeup Set. This was because the product was found to have tested positive for asbestos, which led us to thinking: what other day-to-day objects could you potentially find asbestos in? Let’s take a look.
1 – Home Appliances.
From crockpots to hairdryers, and popcorn poppers to fume hoods, a wide variety of home appliances were known to contain low levels of asbestos prior to 1988. Stove mats and ironing board covers were known culprits as well so you could be putting yourself at risk if you still use any of these 20th century product in your home.
2 – Car Parts.
Due to asbestos’ ability to resist heat, the material was often used in car parts to prevent fires. Brakes, brake pads, clutch linings and transmission plates were all the main examples of this, as well as many other high-friction car parts.
3 – Protective Clothing.
Rather ironically, a wide variety of protective clothing actually featured asbestos in their design. Aprons, helmets, gloves and leggings were all known to contain commercial asbestos in them but, perhaps more surprisingly, so were respirators and dust masks. Asbestos-related disorders are caused by microfibres becoming airborne – therefore, having asbestos so close to the mouth was particularly dangerous in hindsight.
4 – Fuse Boxes.
In the years leading up to asbestos’ ban, insulation boards containing the material were often placed behind the fuse box in homes. Fortunately, fuse boxes are used pretty rarely so this shouldn’t be too much of a cause for concern, since asbestos fibres only become airborne if they are damaged or disturbed. If you do notice damage around your fuse box though, it’s generally a good idea to get it checked by a professional.
5 – Toilet Cisterns.
Yes, even your faithful bathroom toilet could contain asbestos. Older style cisterns often had a small amount of asbestos added to make them sturdier and able to withstand more weight. Due to this stability and the small amount of asbestos used, so long as the cistern remains in a sturdy condition, it shouldn’t represent too much of a risk.
6 – Makeup.
Asbestos ends up in makeup products due to the poor regulations surrounding one of its key ingredients: cosmetic-grade talc (i.e. talcum powder). Talc and asbestos are both materials which form naturally together. Therefore, when talc is mined for commercial uses, it runs the risk that the talc could be contaminated with asbestos.
If you are concerned that you might have asbestos in your home, office or workplace, do the right thing and consult an expert. Here at Crucial Environmental, we have a track record of delivering excellent customer service to each of our clients. Whether it be diagnosing, conserving or removing asbestos, we are specialists in what we do. Get in touch with our friendly team today.