01. Asbestos Risk for Hairdressers
How Are Hairdressers Exposed to Asbestos?
Hairdressers and other cosmetology professionals may have been exposed to asbestos products in hair dryers. In the 1970s and early 1980s, commercial and home, handheld hair dryers contained asbestos.
Many products contained asbestos. The material was commonly used for its natural heat resistance and chemical durability. As a result, professionals from many industries were exposed to asbestos, a dangerous carcinogen.
Asbestos exposure can cause several serious diseases. One of the most well-known is mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer.
Hair dryers often contained asbestos linings near the heating element. The mineral served as a heat shield. When turned on, the hair dryer could expel the fibers in the lining. This causes asbestos to become airborne.
In 1979, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study examining the asbestos levels in 30 different hair dryers. The research was conducted on behalf of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The study included several types of hair dryers, including:
- Handheld hair dryers
- Hood-style (bonnet-style) hair dryers
- Heat guns
- Heavy-duty commercial salon-style hair dryers
The study confirmed levels of asbestos over the Occupational Health and Safety Administration‘s (OSHA) permissible exposure limit were released. However, no level of asbestos exposure can be considered completely safe. Any level of asbestos exposure may lead to significant health issues, such as asbestosis or peritoneal mesothelioma.
“Mesothelioma can occur from brief exposures and at low doses. There is no evidence of a threshold level of asbestos exposure in which there is no risk of mesothelioma.”
What Asbestos Products Put Hairdressers at Risk?
In the 1970s and 1980s, the vast majority of hair dryers contained asbestos. According to OSHA data, 90% of hair dryer manufacturers used asbestos components during this time.
OSHA identified 11 major manufacturers who used asbestos in hair dryers and other salon equipment. During this time, these companies generated an estimated 90% of all hair dryer sales each year. As a result, millions of people were potentially exposed to asbestos generated by hair dryers.
Hairdressers may have been exposed to asbestos from several models of hair dryers. The list below contains the specific asbestos-containing models produced by each manufacturer.
Professional and hobbyist hairdressers may have experienced asbestos exposure from their hair dryers. As a result, they may be at risk of developing asbestos-related cancers.
Common Places Asbestos Is Found in the Hairdressing Industry
Hair dryers and heated styling tools were used in many settings. Potential asbestos exposure from these tools is not limited to salons.
Locations that often exposed hairdressers include:
- Beauty product stores
- Cosmetology schools
- Homes, if doing house calls
- Makeup studios
- Salons
Asbestos can become particularly dangerous when present in a poorly ventilated space. This allows more fibers to become concentrated in the air. As a result, anyone nearby an asbestos hair dryer may have been exposed to the mineral.
Hairdressers and At-Risk Trades
Hairdressers are not the only individuals at risk of occupational asbestos exposure as a result of asbestos-filtered hair styling products. Other individuals around salons may also have been exposed. This could include other salon professionals or clients.
At-risk trades in the hairdressing industry include:
- Barbers
- Cosmetologists
- Estheticians and skin care specialists
- Hair stylists
- Manicurists
- Pedicurists
Secondary asbestos exposure may also occur due to the cosmetology industry. Hairdressers may accidentally bring home asbestos fibers from their workplace. Airborne fibers may settle on a hairdresser’s clothing, hair, skin or personal belongings. As a result, family members and loved ones may also develop related diseases.
02. Mesothelioma Risk for Hairdressers
Mesothelioma Risk for Hairdressers
Studies have confirmed asbestos levels released by hairdryers are above the permissible limit.
OSHA’s permissible exposure limit is only 0.1 fibers/cm3 over an eight-hour, time-weighted average. According to research, asbestos emissions from hair dryers can reach 0.11 structures/cm3.
As a result, hairdressers have an elevated risk of asbestos exposure when compared to the general public. Hairdressers’ occupational exposure can lead to several health issues, including asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma cancer.
03. Asbestos Safety
Asbestos Safety for Hairdressers
Hazardous consumer products are regulated by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. These regulations are administered and updated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
In 1979, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a report regarding asbestos in hair dryers. After the report, many manufacturers voluntarily stopped asbestos use. To make this standard practice, the CPSC issued a recall for all asbestos-containing hair dryers and salon accessories. These products may still have been in circulation through the early 1980s.
Today, the risk of asbestos exposure for hairdressers is low. Unless decades old, hair dryers are not likely to contain asbestos. However, asbestos diseases have a long latency period. It may take up to 50 years for diseases such as mesothelioma to develop.
As a result, hairdressers may continue to be diagnosed with asbestos diseases. Any individual who suspects they may have experienced asbestos exposure should contact a mesothelioma doctor.
