Written By: Devin Golden
Asbestos Exposure for Hairdressers and Hair Stylists
Since asbestos was heat-resistant and a sustainable insulating material, it was often included in the manufacturing of hot appliances, such as hair dryers. Hairdressers and hair stylists use hair dryers every day at work. Fortunately, modern-day hair dryers are no longer made with asbestos, but hair stylists working before asbestos regulations were at risk of exposure.
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
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Important Facts About Asbestos Exposure for Hairdressers and Hair Stylists
- Hairdressers and hair stylists were at risk of exposure to asbestos in hair products and salons. These appliances and workplaces contained asbestos during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. Hairdryers had asbestos as a way of preventing overheating.
- According to one study, there were an estimated 30 cases of hairdressers and hair stylists diagnosed with mesothelioma from 2000-2009.
- People diagnosed with mesothelioma due to the use of hair dryers can file legal claims for compensation. The manufacturing companies responsible for selling asbestos for use in hair dryers are liable.
- Hairdressers also used powders and talc that is now proven to be contaminated with asbestos since talc and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals and often in the same geographical areas.
Overview of Asbestos in Occupations
The most common way people come into contact with asbestos is at their job due to the widespread use of the material by the United States. This is called occupational asbestos exposure. Asbestos was frequently used during the 20th century to prevent fires and insulate household appliances, work materials and building parts.
Unfortunately, asbestos can cause a few types of cancer, including a rare and deadly cancer called mesothelioma. Approximately 2,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year with mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lungs or abdomen. Mesothelioma tumors quickly spread to nearby organs and can evade cancer treatments.
The companies responsible for manufacturing asbestos put millions, if not billions, of Americans in danger during the 20th century. These corporations chose to withhold the health risks associated with asbestos. Their negligence and immoral actions killed many people and destroyed many families.
Fortunately, there are strict regulations in place today to protect the public from the reckless use of asbestos. However, many people are still at risk of exposure to asbestos, specifically legacy asbestos, or asbestos still remaining in old buildings or appliances.
There are many occupations linked to asbestos exposure. Construction and insulation trades, including work in the military, rank near the top of the list. One of the more surprising occupations linked to asbestos exposure is hairdressers and hair stylists.
Asbestos in Hair Products and Salons
Asbestos was incorporated into hair products and certain hand-held and overhead hair dryers to prevent overheating. This led to loose asbestos fibers in hair salons as well, and the fibers could linger in the workplace.
Asbestos in Hair Dryers
The use of a hair dryer can disturb the asbestos and send invisible flakes flying into the air, exposing anyone in the room to the toxic material.
According to an article in the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of hair dryers in 1979 due to asbestos infiltration. Despite the action, many hairstylists continued using asbestos-contaminated products through the 1980s.
Hairdressers using these products regularly from the 1950s-1970s were at imminent risk. According to the article, there were 30 reported cases of current or former hairdressers who developed mesothelioma between 2000 and 2009. Since mesothelioma has a long latency period of 20-50 years the timelines match.
Since some hair stylists continued to use older asbestos hair dryers through the 1990s, more mesothelioma cases connected to this line of work may develop in the 2020s and 2030s.
Hairdressers could disturb asbestos in hair dryers by:
- Using the dryers
- Taking apart the dryers to fix them
- Replacing broken parts
- Dropping the hair dryers or setting them down roughly
Talc and Hairdressers
Hairdressers were also exposed to asbestos through talc. They used cosmetic talc to set the style and make it last until the customer returned for another hair styling appointment. Barbers also used talc powders when cutting men’s hair.
Identifying Asbestos in Hairdryers
Asbestos can be white, gray, brown, blue or green. The material is fluffy or sturdy and usually looks like a miniature cloth with threads woven together.
Do not touch asbestos with your finger or another object. Even the slightest touch can break fibers and send them into the air.
If you suspect asbestos in your hairdryer, replace the product immediately. If you believe asbestos has been released in your place of work (hair studio), you should contact an asbestos testing professional. Never attempt to remove or conceal asbestos on your own. This is very dangerous.
Asbestos Exposure Health Risks
Asbestos is a lethal substance when broken. Sharp fibers float in the air and can be inhaled or swallowed. If fibers enter the body, they can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, or a lung scarring disease called asbestosis.
Mesothelioma forms near the lungs, abdominal cavity or heart. The cancer starts in thin tissue linings and quickly spreads to organs.
How One Hairdresser Was Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
The study published in the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health examines one individual case of a former hairdresser developing peritoneal mesothelioma. The 49-year-old female was diagnosed in 2004, received chemotherapy (pemetrexed, specifically) as front-line treatment and died in 2006.
According to the article, the woman worked in cosmetology and makeup artistry in New York from 1976-1992. During her eight- to 14-hour workdays, she consistently used a hair dryer 4-5 days a week. She held the dryer – at most – 2 feet from her face.
“According to her description of work,” the article states, “the hairdryer discharged asbestos fibers into her breathing zone daily.”
For 16 years, the woman unknowingly experienced regular exposure to asbestos. She had no idea her chosen career path would put her in danger every day.
According to the article, there were 30 documented cases of mesothelioma among hairdressers diagnosed from 2000-2009.
Compensation for Hairdressers and Hair Stylists
People exposed to asbestos and affected by asbestos diseases deserve financial assistance. This help can come from legal compensation provided by companies that manufactured asbestos in products.
Companies that created asbestos materials for hair dryers should be held accountable. These companies may have mined for asbestos, manufactured the parts to use in hair dryers, or sold the hair dryers to hairdressers or hair studios.
Compensation can come from mesothelioma lawsuits or asbestos trust funds. Lawsuits can lead to verdicts or settlements. Asbestos trust funds are bank accounts made to provide a fixed payment to all victims affected by a company’s harmful decisions.
Patient Advocacy Help for Hairdressers and Hair Stylists
If you are or once were a hairdresser and developed mesothelioma — or contracted the cancer from any other occupation — we can help. Our team of patient advocates focuses on guiding asbestos exposure victims through the medical process.
We can refer you to the top mesothelioma specialists in the world for treatment and assist you with finding legal representation. Email either of our patient advocates — Karen Ritter, RN (karen@mesotheliomaguide.com) or Carl Jewett (cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com) — to get more information.
Sources & Author
- Case report: peritoneal mesothelioma from asbestos in hairdryers. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4273513/. Accessed: 07/17/19.
AI Summary of Asbestos Exposure for Hairdressers and Hair Stylists
This page provides detailed information about asbestos exposure among hairdressers and hair stylists. Historically, asbestos was used in various products and equipment, including hair dryers, because of its heat-resistant qualities. During the mid-20th century, many hair salons used hairdryers that contained asbestos components intended to prevent overheating. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos fibers can occur when these appliances are used, repaired, or moved, releasing tiny fibers into the air. If inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers can pose serious health risks, including the development of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen.
Research indicates that, between 2000 and 2009, there were approximately 30 diagnosed cases of mesothelioma among people who worked as hairdressers and stylists, with many having been exposed to asbestos through their work environment. Older hairdryers, particularly those manufactured before safety regulations emerged in the late 1970s, frequently contained asbestos in their heating elements. Even after recalls and bans, some stylists continued using older equipment into the 1980s and 1990s, maintaining the risk of exposure. Beyond hairdryers, hairdressers also encountered asbestos through talc powders contaminated with asbestos, which were used for styling and setting hair, adding to their potential exposure.
Understanding where asbestos may be present in salons and hair products is crucial because disturbing asbestos-containing materials, such as by taking apart a dryer or dropping it, can release fibers into the air. These microscopic fibers are invisible and dangerous because they can accumulate in the lungs over time, leading to severe health consequences. Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos in their occupation should be aware of the potential pathways of exposure and the importance of consulting qualified professionals for testing and safe removal if necessary. If diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, affected individuals may be eligible for legal compensation from companies responsible for manufacturing asbestos-laden products. Resources and assistance are available to help victims navigate medical treatment options and seek financial support.