Finally, a Pipe That Really Will Kill You! Alert the FDA! PICS!

[agnosticpipe]

Found this listed online and did a double take. This pipe is made with clay and asbestos! (Best Quality asbestos though). I have never, ever heard of such a thing, but then, years ago folks didn't know about the dangers of asbestos. Seller dates the pipe to the 1910s, but I'll bet someone here can date it from the hallmarks. The seller notes that it is not to be smoked, just used for display. I don't know if I would even want it in the house. I'd tell you where I saw it, but some knuckle head would buy it and go ahead and try smoking it, and end up being the next poster boy for mesothelioma. Then the FDA would really go nuts! :crazy: There's always something interesting to be found in pipe smoking history.

 

[pitchfork]

These pop up every now and again. You'll also see calabash pipes with black bowls/cups -- those are usually asbestos, too.
1910 sounds about right for the date (or even a little earlier), but those hallmarks are just decorative -- there's no date letter.

 

[ashdigger]

Hard pack asbestos isn't that big of deal. Airborne asbestos is the true nightmare but it takes a significant dose and exposure. I deal with asbestos almost everyday. But, I'm more worried about buildings falling on me that asbestosis.
btw, that's actually a cool looking pipe!!

 

[georged]

Hard pack asbestos isn't that big of deal. Airborne asbestos is the true nightmare but it takes a significant dose and exposure. I deal with asbestos almost everyday. But, I'm more worried about buildings falling on me that asbestosis.

This is the answer. Unless in particulate form and inhaled, asbestos poses no health hazard.
Ever heard of PVC plastic? (VERY commonly used for plumbing pipes and related light construction. House siding. Children's toys, even. It's everywhere.) It's the 21st century's asbestos. Leave it alone, and it will leave you alone. Cut, grind, or sand it, not so much:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1740548/

 

[pagan]

Id smoke it and send the video to the FDA with the proper finger prominently displayed :puffpipe:

 

[jacks6]

I had no idea pipes were ever even made with asbestos. You learn something new every day!

 

[papipeguy]

Right, George. You can swallow asbestos with no ill effects but inhaling it is a different story. Asbestos particles have barbs on them that attach to the lining of the lungs and that's when bad things happen. Best to keep that pipe as a collector item.

 

[iamn8]

Personally I think the FDA should stay out of it. I don't see what the big deal is. If I want to smoke asbestos I should be able to smoke asbestos. Smoke that stunner in the best of health! or in the worst of health.

 

[ashdigger]

I would love to put on my Tyvek and dangle my respirator from my neck with as asbestos pipe hanging from my mug just prior to entering an pre-abatement asbestos laden fire scene. That would be a fantastic avatar pic!!

 

[mso489]

Since it was made before 2007, there shouldn't be a problem. Read the regs. I'm joking, somewhat.

 

[jabo]

Personally, I'd smoke it. As sgt. Barnes said on Platoon, everybody's got to die sometime Red !

 

[deathmetal]

If the asbestos is sealed within a substrate, no problems.
It is only a problem when it gets airborne.
Sort of like fentanyl.

 

[agnosticpipe]

So I guess it's safe to smoke, but not to clean and ream? Won't any of the asbestos burn up with the smoke? I'll admit it's a cool pipe, just not sure I'd mess with it.

Maybe Nate will be our guinea pig.... :mrgreen:

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Regardless if it's safe or not, I'd still be afraid to smoke it. Pretty cool piece of tobacciana though. :D

 

[mawnansmiff]

It's the blue asbestos that is the killer (in powdered form), white asbestos is comparatively harmless.
Also as Pitchfork points out, those 'hallmarks' are just for decoration and not real hallmarks.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[jerwynn]

Fascinating new learning for me!

 

[virginiacob]

It's amazing the different products that were once made out of asbestos. I remember reading through an old 1950's vintage Life magazine and they were touting the new "disposable" world featuring a variety of one-time use disposable products that offered convenience and mess-free living (far cry from our recycling and "environmentally sensitive" world of today). One of the products they featured was a disposable hibachi grill made of asbestos.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Hey, I thought that asbestos was the secret ingredient in SG Virginias. FVF sure takes a match like it is. ::

 

[mawnansmiff]

That is so very true Cosmic!
Regards,
Jay.