CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Lunch Time Talk- Asbestos From Magic Mineral to Deathly Dust

Join Surgeons' Hall Museums Research Fellow Professor Ken Donaldson as he discusses Asbestos in this bite sized talk on 6th May!

Lunch Time Talk- Asbestos From Magic Mineral to Deathly Dust

About Lunch Time Talk- Asbestos From Magic Mineral to Deathly Dust

In the early 20th century, asbestos was hailed as a ‘magic mineral’ and was eventually incorporated into thousands of products in homes, cars, ships etc; it was woven into the fabric of buildings and indeed, people’s lives. The fibrous nature of asbestos imbues it with its industrial usefulness, but unfortunately, during its use these tiny fibers can be released into the air and are breathed into the lungs where they cause diseases including cancer. Although the potential dangers of asbestos were suspected early in the 20th century and were confirmed by the 1960s, asbestos continued to be used and it was not banned until near the end of the 20th century, by which time millions of people had been exposed to it and a global pandemic of disease had ensued. This talk describes the history of asbestos production, rising awareness of its pathogenic effects, how they are produced and the legacies that asbestos has left us.

The talk will last approximately 30mins and there will be tea and coffee available for ticket holders.

Sponsored Links

Salvation Army
Mowgli
The Chocolatarium
Go Ape
Tea Green
Hilton Glasgow
Fayre Play

Similar events you might like...

Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described

Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described

Selected dates between 20th February 2025 - 18th December 2025

Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

READ MORE
Palace Page Turners

Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!

READ MORE
Find Out Fridays

Find Out Fridays

Selected dates between 15th August 2025 - 19th December 2025

Explore a different theme each week on Friday afternoons, during school term-time, with our Learning team at the National Museum of Scotland.

READ MORE
Coffee & French Conversation

Coffee & French Conversation

Selected dates between 2nd October 2025 - 4th December 2025

Want to practice your French in an informal setting? Join us at the Institut français d’Écosse for a relaxed morning chat – over a cup of coffee or tea and a croissant or pain au chocolat!

READ MORE
Beneath the Surface: King’s Gallery Short Talks

Beneath the Surface: King’s Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 23rd October 2025 - 26th February 2026

Join our team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for weekly gallery talks as part of the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance!

READ MORE
Weekly Tours at St Cecilia’s Hall

Weekly Tours at St Cecilia’s Hall

Selected dates between 25th October 2025 - 28th November 2025

Join our team of volunteers at St Cecilia's Hall for a FREE weekly tour of the collection!

READ MORE
Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary Celebration

Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary Celebration

18th November 2025

Join Hands Up for Trad on 18th November for an intimate celebration marking two decades of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, with David Francis and Louis DeCarlo!

READ MORE
Digital Scotland 2025

Digital Scotland 2025

19th November 2025

Digital Scotland is Scotland’s largest digital transformation summit for public sector policy and technology leaders, taking place at Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 19th November.

READ MORE
Stephen Venables: South Georgia: The Last Unclimbed Summits

Stephen Venables: South Georgia: The Last Unclimbed Summits

19th November 2025

Stephen Venables has returned 11 times to the wild, sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, a place as rich in history as it is brutal in climate.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

WST
Children's Classic Concerts
Wonder & Co
Escape The Past
Kevin Quantum
MNB
Hilton Glasgow

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Salvation Army
Mowgli
The Chocolatarium
Go Ape
Tea Green
Hilton Glasgow
Fayre Play
WST
Children's Classic Concerts
Wonder & Co
Escape The Past
Kevin Quantum
MNB
Hilton Glasgow

Popular Events

Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
Edinburgh’s Christmas: Christmas Market
One of the most iconic Christmas Markets in Europe, Edinburgh's Christmas Market returns to East Princes Street Gardens showcasing the best in artisan festive products and goods from local makers!
Belfast Brunch Co
Expect a fun fuelled afternoon filled with R’n’B favourites, sing-along classics and nostalgic dance moments with The Belfast Brunch Co. at Edinburgh Corn Exchange in May!
Castle Of Light
Make Castle of Light: Fire and Ice part of your festive plans and enjoy the largest annual projection show in the UK when it returns for its sixth year!
The Steamie
Step inside a 1950s Glasgow washhouse on Hogmanay, where the water's hot and the gossips even hotter when Tony Roper's classic play The Steamie comes to The King's Theatre Edinburgh!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall