Asbestos and Consumer Products: What You Need to Know
The average homeowner looking to undertake renovations understands that asbestos can present some challenges. It can be found in thousands of homes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand built before 2000, particularly in flooring, roofing, and cladding.
However, our homes aren’t the only places you can find asbestos. It can also be in our everyday consumer products – and not necessarily those manufactured decades ago. Whether you’re concerned about asbestos-containing products or curious about where asbestos can be found, you can find some helpful consumer product information below.
It Can Be Found in Toys and Children’s Products
Many classic children’s toys were manufactured with asbestos decades before we knew about the dangers associated with friable asbestos. Since then, we’ve learned a great deal, with children’s toys being made with far safer materials.
However, that doesn’t mean we’ve seen the back of asbestos altogether. In 2015, Government testing of 21 randomly selected crayon products identified asbestos coming from two of the largest arts and craft retailers in New Zealand.
The products with positive test results were
Disney: Planes, Fire & Rescue – Double-ended crayons
Avengers Age of Ultron: 8 Chunky Crayons
Art Series – Jumbo Colours 12 Non-Toxic Bright Colours
In research conducted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, it was believed that asbestos may have been used as a binding agent in the crayons. Talc and asbestos form in the same locations and have similar compositions. As a result, natural cross-contamination can sometimes occur.
In 2018 and 2020, similar finds were made in children’s makeup products. Asbestos was discovered in products sold by Claire’s, with contaminated talc determined as the origin of the asbestos.
Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Is Often to Blame
A number of products contain the clay mineral talc, also known as talcum, including:
Children’s toys
Roofing materials
Craft supplies (paper, paint, crayons)
Chewing gum
Insecticides
Body and baby powders
Plastics
Rubber
Supplements
It’s desirable for its temperature resistance, oil and moisture absorption properties, lubrication, and odor absorption. However, as it occurs naturally near asbestos, cross-contamination can sometimes happen. Moreover, even though many companies strive to ensure their products are asbestos-free, no federal regulations in the United States require it.
As a result, it’s not uncommon for everyday consumer goods to test positive for asbestos, particularly in the United States. In 2020, the FDA undertook random testing and reported asbestos contamination in nine of 52 cosmetic products. These included Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and makeup products, such as those manufactured by City Color Cosmetics.
Most Home Appliances Once Contained Asbestos
If something needed to be insulated against heat, you could nearly guarantee that asbestos was the material of choice. For a long time, this affordable and reliable material was present in most home appliance manufacturing plants.
This was especially true in the United States in a prosperous post-war era. Homeowners were purchasing a number of exciting and innovative electrical gadgets, such as electric ovens, coffee pots, bottle warmers, and heaters. Asbestos was generally used for fireproofing and insulating.
Fortunately, the asbestos in most home appliances didn’t pose much of a risk to the consumer unless they broke them or pulled them apart. Hairdryers were typically an exception since asbestos in the heating element was friable and could release asbestos fibers into the air once turned on.
Many Well-Known Companies Sold Asbestos-Containing Consumer Goods
We haven’t always known that asbestos is dangerous, which is why a number of well-known brands and companies have a history of manufacturing goods with it. Johnson & Johnson has a dark history with asbestos and still faces thousands of lawsuits to this day.
The well-known company 3M, known for producing goods to protect against asbestos exposure, has also had dealings with it. From the 1930s to the 1980s, 3M used asbestos in the manufacturing of office supplies and home repair goods. There have been at least four lawsuits involving 3M surrounding asbestos in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2021.
What to Do If You Encounter Asbestos-Contaminated Consumer Goods
Most of us know to call asbestos removal companies when we’ve encountered friable asbestos in our homes. But what are you supposed to do if you’ve identified an asbestos-containing consumer good, such as an old home appliance?
For your safety and that of the people handling your waste, consider contacting asbestos removal companies for advice. They can talk you through the best ways to manage the waste – including double-bagging it in heavy-duty plastic bags. They can also provide helpful advice on the best disposal options.
You can also call your local landfill service provider to find out if they are an authorised site for asbestos disposal. If they aren’t, they can provide you with the contact details of your nearest authorised location.