We talk about occupational exposure to asbestos being a big problem on our blog, but what about the exposure that happens within the home? While asbestos materials, like insulation and flooring, have been worked into homes and may not pose a threat, some of the most dangerous asbestos productsmight be sitting out in your bathroom at this very moment.
Make-Up
Because of its proximity to the substance within the earth, asbestos can end up mixed into products that are known to contain talc. Different cosmetic products, like eye shadow, foundation, and more have been known to become contaminated with asbestos in the past.
Baby Powder
Talcum powder, or baby powder, can become contaminated with asbestos. Since both substances are so close together within the earth, miners can accidentally unearth asbestos while mining for talc for baby powder.
Hair Dryers
Many models of handheld hair dryers contained asbestos up until 1980. Used for its fire-resistant properties, consumers were unaware that the very thing used to keep them “safe” from the fire could pose so much danger to their lives. When used, asbestos-contaminated air was blown directly into the user’s face and breathing zone.
Asbestos was used in these products until it was declared a hazard to human health in the 1970s. If you have any of these older products sitting on your bathroom countertops, it might be time to upgrade to a newer model — one made without deadly asbestos fibers.
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Do not hesitate to contact us or leave a comment below if you have any questions about asbestos use within cosmetics and other beauty products!
