Asbestos Curtains
Decades ago, many different products contained asbestos. Some were used particularly in industry while others could be found in the home. Most often, asbestos was incorporated into these products because it was highly fire-resistant and could potentially help avoid a disaster.
One such application for asbestos was in curtains, particularly in theaters. The use of the mineral in theater curtains was prompted by a number of serious theater fires early in the 20th century. These fires spread quickly and resulted in a fairly heavy loss of life. An idea was proposed to fashion an “emergency” curtain that contained asbestos so that it could be lowered in the event of a fire on stage. In some theaters, this was the only curtain and was used at all times. In larger, more-profitable theaters, it was covered by a more decorative curtain or only dropped when necessary.
Though these curtains were generally found in professional theaters, including those on Broadway or in London’s West End, they might also be found in small local theaters or even in school auditoriums, where protecting students was an important issue.
The curtains were not a hazard until they grew old and tattered or became damaged for some other reason. At that point, the asbestos became “friable” and could potentially release small, sharp fibers that could be inhaled by stage workers, actors, or audience members.
The first documented use of an asbestos curtain is right around the turn of the 20th century and curtains were used in theaters until about 1980. (However, some asbestos curtains may still exist in theaters around the country.) Most of these curtains contained approximately 40 percent asbestos but the mineral content may have been higher in some instances.
Asbestos theater curtains have now been largely replaced by those made of synthetic fireproof materials. However, anyone who may have worked in the theater business decades ago – especially stage hands or other backstage employees – may be at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. Current theater workers should also be aware that asbestos curtains may still be present in older theaters.
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos curtains and believe you may have inhaled asbestos, or if you’ve already been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease due to your exposure in a theater or school setting, take a moment to fill out our information request form for more details on your rights to legal compensation as an asbestos victim.
