As General Manager of the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) I would like to share a shocking fact that is widely known within our industry, but one which many of your readers will surely be unaware of.

During the 40s and 50s deadly asbestos was used widely in Hollywood films to make fake snow appear more realistic. Many of the snowy favourites, including Wizard of Oz and Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby, featured the film greats of the time doing their thing under a downpour of the potentially lethal carcinogen.

However, these shocking facts don’t end there as many household faux-snow products from the era also contained asbestos and there is a possibility some of it may remain on your readers’ antique decorations, ready to be released into the air and inhaled when they are displayed this festive season. I’d like to encourage them to be cautious when they decorate and to ensure that any fake snow products don’t pre-date the 1950s.

Asbestos causes the rare form of cancer, mesothelioma, for which there is still no cure with the victim only being made aware of the consequences later in life when it strikes with deadly effect.

Craig Evans General Manager, UKATA