Table of contents

    Have more questions?

    Contact Customer Support

    Do you have Asbestos Products lurking in your Kitchen?

    Do you have Asbestos Products lurking in your Kitchen?

    Table of contents

      Have more questions?

      Contact Customer Support

      When we look for asbestos around the home we often focus on materials used in construction, but what about asbestos products in domestic use?

      In addition to construction materials many old toys, domestic appliances and items for personal use contain asbestos. Those manufactured before 2000 in the UK are a potential source of exposure to lethal fibres.

      Here are some you should be aware of, and if in doubt test for asbestos:

      Oven gloves

      Oven and heat protective gloves manufactured before the year 2000 are likely to contain asbestos. Studies have shown that gloves in good condition pose minimal risk. However, those that have been well worn with breaks in the fabric will release fibres that you could inhale.  For more information on research into oven mitts and other protective heat resistant clothing containing asbestos click on Exposure and risks from wearing asbestos mitts

      Domestic appliances

      Due to its excellent fire resistant properties, asbestos was used in the manufacture of linings for a whole range of domestic appliances used in the kitchen.  These include:

      • Grills
      • Toasters
      • Deep fat fryers
      • Cooking ranges
      • Ovens
      • Slow cookers
      • Dishwashers
      • Washing machines
      • Clothes dryers
      • Ironing boards
      • Pot holders

      Indeed any appliance that was prone to overheat or used at high temperature benefited from asbestos materials. Unfortunately over time, with damage, the risk of fibres escaping is high.

      Asbestos products for personal use

      Hair driers: The mineral was also used in many hair driers because they were and still are used at high temperature.

      Bottle warmers: The interiors of some baby bottle warmers were insulated with asbestos.

      Heat guns: In 1977 Top Flite Models Inc. recalled one of its branded high temperature heat guns. The T/F Monokote guns were used by consumers who enjoyed building model aeroplanes. The heat shields inside the appliance actually released fibres into the air when the guns were being used.

      Other regularly used appliances containing asbestos were electricity powered heaters, blankets and hair curling tongs.

      Toys

      Tremolite is one of the most lethal types of asbestos and it is this mineral that is most likely to be found in children’s toys. We’d like to say that its use in the manufacture of toys has ended but unfortunately this is not the case, particularly in toys produced in China.

      Old and new crayons, Crime Scene Kits and toys cars with brakes are likely to contain asbestos if more than 17 years old and/or manufactured in China – check the labels!

      Asbestos testing kit

      If you have any doubt as to the presence of asbestos products in your home, buy an asbestos testing kit. It will put your mind at rest at a minimum and potentially save your life at best! Inhaling asbestos fibres can lead to cancer which may not manifest for many, many years.

      If you find that your samples come back positive then you can find a reputable contractor using our asbestos removal contractors directory.

      Thank you for reading our article, we hope it helps! If you have any further questions please get in touch!

      • Top 5 Occupations for High Risk Asbestos Exposure

        Top 5 Occupations for High Risk Asbestos Exposure

        Before asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, many people worked in environments where asbestos exposure was incredibly high. It can take many years to find out that having breathed in the lethal asbestos fibres you are suffering from a disease related to them. Here are the top 5 occupations that were infamous for asbestos exposure and have led to many deaths in recent years.

        Top 5 Occupations for High Risk Asbestos Exposure

        Before asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, many people worked in environments where asbestos exposure was incredibly high....

      • 5 Great Christmas Gifts for Electricians

        5 Great Christmas Gifts for Electricians

        As the festive season approaches we all start to think about the best gifts to buy for friends and family. If you have a sparky in your circle here are some ideas on Christmas gifts for electricians that will be appreciated. A good torch is always handy Electricians, even with a full set of all the tools they need, will always appreciate more.  Torches are a great idea and they don’t come much better than the Streamlight 88033 ProTac 2AA 250 Lumen Professional Tactical Flashlight.  Batteries are included so you don’t have the embarrassment of them opening a gift and...

        5 Great Christmas Gifts for Electricians

        As the festive season approaches we all start to think about the best gifts to buy for friends and family....

      • Asbestos in Classrooms is Killing Teachers and Pupils

        Asbestos in Classrooms is Killing Teachers and ...

        Geoffrey Lee dedicated most of his life to teaching. Now at 72 he is dying from mesothelioma, a cancer he developed from exposure to asbestos in classrooms. The type of asbestos he was exposed to is blue crocidolite. The material was extensively used in construction before 1985 when it was banned in the UK. It is also the worst type of asbestos to come into contact with because it is friable and easily broken. For a decade Mr Lee breathed in the lethal fibres that emanated from the plasterboard in the classrooms, at the Newport College where he worked. He...

        Asbestos in Classrooms is Killing Teachers and ...

        Geoffrey Lee dedicated most of his life to teaching. Now at 72 he is dying from mesothelioma, a cancer he...

      Simple Pricing

      Our Asbestos sampling kits

      Recommended

      Full PPE Included

      Button label

      Collect asbestos samples safely

      Button label

      You can make 4 interest-free payments of $0.00 fortnightly with 
      More info