31 Of The Most Bizarre Trends Of The 50s And 60s

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Using asbestos as a building material

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Lung cancer, emphysema, respiratory failure, and even death—those are just some of the many documented hazards of long-term exposure to and inhalation of asbestos. But, in the years leading up to the 1980s, the naturally-occurring mineral of thin and flexible fibrous silicate was a common addition to building projects, especially when it came to fireproofing, soundproofing and insulating a residential or office structure. Homes and buildings built before 1990 often had asbestos in their ceilings, water and flu pipes, eaves, fencing, and wall cladding. Popcorn ceilings, a trend which started in the 1930s but which became especially popular in the 1960s and 70s, were a common fixture in homes. People loved them for their acoustic properties and their ability to brighten a room and hide imperfections in the ceiling. But, these ceilings eventually became notorious for their asbestos content (white asbestos was typically used in the spray-on treatment), topping the list of “things to rip out of my home” renovations and home upgrades.  In the late 1970s, amid growing health concerns, spray-on asbestos was finally banned from US markets. Since then, many countries have followed suit, banning the use of asbestos entirely in building projects and in commercial use. Ironically, though, the US is now one of few countries that still allows the use of asbestos in consumer products for as long as it makes up less than 1% of the product.