5 Common Asbestos-Containing Products You Will Use This Holiday Season

Awareness & Research

Written by Nadia Persaud

Reading Time: 3 mins
Publication Date: 12/02/2011
Fact Checked
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Reviewed

Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource

The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.

Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.

More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.

About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com

  • Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
  • Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
  • A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
  • 5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
Learn More About Us

Testimonials

My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.
Lashawn
Mesothelioma patient’s daughter
  • Google Review Rating
  • BBB Review Rating

How to Cite Asbestos.com’s Article

APA

Persaud, N. (2020, October 16). 5 Common Asbestos-Containing Products You Will Use This Holiday Season. Asbestos.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://www.asbestos.com/blog/2011/12/02/5-common-asbestos-containing-products-you-will-use-this-holiday-season/

MLA

Persaud, Nadia. "5 Common Asbestos-Containing Products You Will Use This Holiday Season." Asbestos.com, 16 Oct 2020, https://www.asbestos.com/blog/2011/12/02/5-common-asbestos-containing-products-you-will-use-this-holiday-season/.

Chicago

Persaud, Nadia. "5 Common Asbestos-Containing Products You Will Use This Holiday Season." Asbestos.com. Last modified October 16, 2020. https://www.asbestos.com/blog/2011/12/02/5-common-asbestos-containing-products-you-will-use-this-holiday-season/.

The holidays bring a lot of joy and festivity, but there are some dangers to be aware of when bringing out old household products for the chilly holiday season. We’ve all heard about hazards like Christmas lights getting too hot, or Christmas trees reaching a little too close to the fire but we rarely think about the potential dangers lurking in everyday, unassuming products.

That’s the all-too-common danger with asbestos, most people don’t think about it until it’s too late. This is where we come in; the Mesothelioma Center would like to help you stay safe by alerting you to which products contain asbestos. These are items that you might be using already or are getting more use out of this winter.

Winter Items

Electric Blankets

Be careful when you bust out those old electric blankets on chilly nights. Asbestos was used to insulate electric blankets many years ago because of the warmth and fire-resistance asbestos fibers provided. Asbestos was also a cheap material and was exceptionally durable, perfect for products like electric blankets that consumers expect to last many winters. If your electric blanket looks particularly worn or may be quite old, it’s probably best to replace it.

Toys

What you really don’t expect and may already have are asbestos-laced toys that used to be on the market. These include a CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, three varieties of Ja-Ru Toy Clay distributed by Omnimodels, and Art Skills’ Clay Bucket. These toys were foreign-made imports previously sold through major U.S. retailers. They should not be on the shelves this hoilday season, but you and your children should be familiar with the products as to avoid contact.

Adhesives

Keeping decorations up where they belong can be a chore, and regular Scotch tape doesn’t always cut it. If your next step is duct tape, be careful. Asbestos was used in adhesive products throughout the 20th century because it created a strong bond to a variety of surfaces that could withstand extreme heat and fire. Unfortunately, tests as recent as 2007 found asbestos in 3M’s Scotch High Performance Duct Tape and 3M’s All Weather Duct Tape.

Fireproof Gloves

Building fires to ward off chilly nights can be a little dangerous. Gloves or mitts are a good option for playing it safe and avoiding injury. Many years ago, asbestos was used in these gloves for that exact reason, it is an insulator and is fire-resistant. If you happen to own a pair of older fireproof gloves, it may be wise to replace them, especially if they appear torn or worn down.

Popcorn Poppers

Able to resist extreme heat and flame, asbestos was used in small heating gadgets such as crock pots, hot plates and popcorn poppers to insulate mechanical wires and provide protection from heating elements. While the risk of asbestos exposure from popcorn poppers may be small, it does exist in older appliances.

The wires or cloth on any of these products can become frayed or damaged and may release hazardous asbestos fibers into the air. Once airborne, these fibers can be inhaled or ingested, putting the person at risk for exposure. Although it usually takes repeated exposure in an occupational setting for a person to be at risk of asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis or mesothelioma, you want to avoid any exposure no matter how small.

Be safe this holiday season. And be aware!