The Dangers of Asbestos Snow

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once used in a vast array of commercial applications. It is well known to have been used in the manufacturing of many types of building and industrial materials and residential insulating. 

It is also now, sadly, universally understood that exposure to the mineral can cause devastating illness and death.

Lights, Camera, Action – Cue the Asbestos Snowfall

Today, movie magic is largely created by CGI (Computer Generated Imaging), but in the earlier years of filmmaking, virtually every aspect was staged in real-time, including snowfall. 

Anyone who has seen The Wizard of OZ (1939) or It’s a Wonderful Life (1942) has seen 100% chrysotile asbestos falling on and around some of Hollywood’s beloved actors of the time. Another classic movie, Holiday Inn (1942), used asbestos to mimic snow, and being a Christmas movie, there was a lot of it. 

Now that the dangers of asbestos exposure are so well-known, it’s unfathomable to think of these actors and other movie workers working amongst such vast amounts of asbestos. 

For many actors of that generation, their risk of exposure was relatively low, as many film productions only used the asbestos in relatively small quantities, and asbestos-related illness is far more likely to develop after continued exposure. 

One of the most famous victims of Hollywood’s asbestos snow is legendary actor Steve McQueen. Diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1979, McQueen died in 1980. He had previously made it clear that he believed his repeated exposure to the asbestos-containing stunt clothing and stage insulation had caused his illness. 

Why did Hollywood choose asbestos to mimic snow?

Until around 1930, the movie industry used a variety of everyday materials when replicating snow for scenes. For example, some would grind indigestion tablets into a fine powder and blow it onto a movie set with big, industrial fans – an effective way to mimic a snowstorm but dreadfully uncomfortable for the actors who had to breathe in the dust. 

Other productions used to paint cornflakes white. This whitened breakfast cereal made for a convincing effect on-screen, but the crunching sound made by actors walking over the flakes disrupted the movie’s sound – unworkable for any producers making ‘talkies’ (movies with sound as opposed to silent films that were common for the era).

One of the most common approaches to replicating snow was to use everyday cotton wool. Special-effects artists would tease balls of cotton wool into snow-like fluffy piles. Cotton wool seemed to solve the conundrum for a time – it was cheap, easy to work with, and produced a believable visual result – but it soon became apparent that it was a considerable fire hazard. Cotton wool is flammable, and working with it under hot studio lights was less than ideal. 

A well-meaning firefighter makes a grim mistake

Ironically, it was a well-meaning firefighter who, in 1928, highlighted the fire hazard of using cotton wool and instead suggested the use of white asbestos.

Given the fire-resistant nature of asbestos, filmmakers soon began using it for various applications, including fire curtains, stunt suits, and of course, snow. 

At that time, asbestos was being mined and used in a vast array of manufacturing channels, and no one yet knew its dangers. It also happened to be white and fluffy – the perfect solution for moviemakers. 

Asbestos ‘snow’ adopted on a grand scale

Once discovered as the ‘perfect solution’ for replicating snow, asbestos was adopted as a snow substitute on a grand scale. Not only did movie sets and theatrical productions use it in large quantities, but it also found its way into department stores and residential households.

Families were sold chrysotile asbestos (or ‘white’ asbestos) to decorate their homes for the festive season. Chrysotile asbestos is comprised of white fibers that resemble fluffy snow – perfect for sprinkling on trees, wreaths, and Christmas ornaments. Due to the fire-retardant nature of the mineral, asbestos was also used to manufacture Christmas tree skirts, tablecloths, and other festive paraphernalia.

The ongoing risk of exposure

Thankfully, the one saving grace regarding the use of asbestos for snow and Christmas trimmings is that it was relatively short-lived. Not long after it became popularized, the second world war brought about a great need for the fire-retardant material on Navy ships, and other military uses. The asbestos shortage prevented its continued use on movie sets. Moviemakers then returned to using cotton wool and from there developed more modern materials that pose no health risk. 

Even though asbestos ‘snow’ is no longer used or manufactured commercially, it still remains present in vintage decorations, and antiquing enthusiasts must be vigilant. Some people inevitably still even have it in packets in their lofts or other storage. One of the most popular variants was called ‘Asbestos Pure White Snow.’ If you ever come across this or any other variety of asbestos snow, hand it over to an expert asbestos contractor without disturbing the contents. 

Learn more about the Dangers of Asbestos in Antiques here, and download a free infographic about antiques containing asbestos.

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If you may have been exposed to asbestos, speak with your healthcare provider about tests and screening to help detect the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestos-related damage.

AsbestosClaims.Law

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information is helpful.

If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.

And if you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be entitled to significant compensation—money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

All without filing a lawsuit.

If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.