Mesothelioma in the Film Industry: Past and Present
How Was Asbestos Used in the Film Industry?
We tend to see the film industry as glamorous and exciting, and in some ways, it is. But sometimes, film production can be darker and less in line with our intuitions. It’s probably not surprising to you to learn that the Hollywood of yesteryear was riskier for actors and crew members. But you might be surprised to learn how common asbestos exposure and mesothelioma were as a result of these older film practices.
How Mesothelioma Develops
Hidden deadly threat
First, let’s explain the basics of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer that is also extremely deadly. Once it begins to manifest, it begins to spread aggressively, such that it’s treated as a fatal disease. To make matters worse, mesothelioma is extremely difficult to treat because of how it develops, where it manifests, and other factors. Although treatments have come a long way in recent years, a diagnosis of mesothelioma is still a practical death sentence.
Mesothelioma is rare in part because of how it initially develops. Unlike other forms of cancer, which can emerge as a result of many different factors, mesothelioma develops almost exclusively in response to exposure to a material known as asbestos. Asbestos is an insulating material that used to be viewed as highly advantageous; it was lightweight, easy to produce, relatively inexpensive, yet extremely practical for a variety of applications.
The problem is that asbestos is made up of millions of tiny fibers shaped like barbs. If even modestly disturbed, this material can send thousands of these fibers into the air. Without protection, you’ll breathe these fibers in, and they can lodge themselves in the mesothelial lining that surrounds certain organs. Once left to fester, mesothelioma begins to develop, although it only emerges after a latency period, which usually lasts for years, if not decades.
Uncover the unseen risks
There are also several subtypes of mesothelioma. For example, pleural mesothelioma develops in the lungs, and is the most common type of mesothelioma. There’s also peritoneal mesothelioma, which develops in the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, which develops around the heart.
If you’re exposed to asbestos enough, you’ll almost certainly develop mesothelioma. And conversely, if you develop mesothelioma, it’s a near certainty that you’ve been exposed to asbestos in the past.
Asbestos in the Film Industry
Unseen dangers emerge
Decades ago, asbestos was somewhat common in the film industry. Because it was so cheap and easy to acquire, and because it had so many uses, it seemed like a no-brainer for film crews to use.
· Fake snow. Asbestos used to be used as a material to simulate fake snow, which is especially problematic because simulating snowfall or walking through snow would disturb the material and send thousands of fibers into the air.
· Set decorations. Asbestos was also used as part of a host of different set decorations because it was so easy to work with.
Silent hazards linger unseen
· Stunt gear. Stunt gear also featured asbestos, in part because it was so resistant to fire. It had the potential to improve certain safety aspects of stunts, even if it introduced the risk of mesothelioma. We have since found much better materials to protect stunt people.
· Insulation in buildings. Asbestos was primarily used as an insulating material. Accordingly, it was frequently used as insulation in buildings around Hollywood. Even if you weren’t directly engaging with the material, you might have been incidentally exposed to it as a result.
Notable Incidents
Unseen hollywood secrets
It is widely reported that many famous films from the pre-World War II era in Hollywood made use of asbestos. For example, The Wizard of Oz (1939) likely made use of asbestos as fake snow in several scenes. Films like Holiday Inn (1942), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), and White Christmas (1954) also utilized the material.
Actors Steve McQueen and Ed Lauter also died of mesothelioma, presumably after being exposed to asbestos on film sets. Although these are probably the most recognizable actors who died of mesothelioma, there are countless more actors and crew members who have also succumbed to the disease.
The Film Industry Today
Unseen threats lurk
Thankfully, the film industry today is much more cautious about how it plans, prepares, and shoots movies. That’s not to say that there are no risks on film sets, or that there aren’t any materials we’re currently underestimating the risks of, but we’ve made big strides forward in terms of actor and crew member safety.
Understanding Your Own Mesothelioma Risk
You’ll also be pleased to know that if you haven’t been directly exposed to asbestos, your risk of developing mesothelioma is practically zero. Asbestos is outlawed in most applications, and most people will never have to worry about being exposed to it. However, if you have been exposed to asbestos, or if you think you might have been in the past, it’s important to be proactive and thorough in managing your mesothelioma risks.
