Asbestos in props? Old hairdryer warning

[lonepigeon]

I got this random email from an eBayer offering to buy a Supermax hairdryer I had recently won because it contains asbestos.
At first I thought it was a creative scam from a prop guy, but then I looked into it and apparently asbestos was common in hairdryers up until 1980.
http://www.asbestosnetwork.com/exposure/ex_consumer.htm
The Supermax is on the product recall list.

Just thought I'd let everyone know. There are probably several others like me who have a few sitting in their prop parts boxes. I think I will go and gut mine out now - carefully.

For those confused...
The Supermax hairdryer was used to make Lando's Vibro Axe from RotJ.

 

[propsculptor]

Thanks for the Warning...I don't have one of those Hairdryers but I'll pass on the Information to others.

 

[Funky]

I don't think there is any real danger. Just don't turn it on an inhale.

 

[Patattack]

Yeah, I'm not sure what would be the best course of action...my dorm building is notorious for its asbestos - it insulates 75% of the pipes in the basement. However, back when people figured out asbestos was bad for you, they decided that removing the insulation would just cause more trouble (since disturbing it would cause the little particles to enter the air). Instead, they just covered everything up, sealed it tight, and slapped some "Danger - Asbestos" stickers everywhere.

So...if it's just going to be sitting in your to-do box, opening it to remove the asbestos might pose more of a hazard than just letting it sit. But if you need to crack the thing open in order to make the finished prop, you'll probably want to wear an asbestos-rated mask and do it outside and/or far from the house. That is, if you want to be super-careful.

 

[blufive]

Thanks for the warning, Chris!

 

[defstartrooper]

Yeah it used to be used in electic heaters too