Hair Dryer Asbestos Fryer

Through the 1970s, asbestos fibers could be found all around a typical household. Asbestos was used to line products like hair dryers, dishwashers, toasters, and a range of other appliances to provide cheap insulation. The asbestos in hair dryers was especially dangerous. It was a soft, friable material that could easily be released when the hair dryer was in operation.

Concern was raised about asbestos exposure from hair dryers in a Consumer Product Safety Guide from May 10, 1979.

Growing concern prompted the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to evaluate "possible health consequences from asbestos concentrations" in hair dryers in this study.

After comparing air samples of a vareity of hair dryers--both hand-held and standing--with ambient air measurements, NIOSH concluded, "It is clear that asbestos fibers are released during the operation of most hair dryers tested, in come cases in considerable quantities."

It was also emphasized that these results were obtained despite methods that most likely meant underestimates of asbestos.

The study concluded that the results, coupled with the number of people that come in contact with hair dryers "clearly calls for the elimination of exposure."