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

Escape The Past
Children's Classic Concerts
Hilton Glasgow
Fayre Play
Wonder & Co
Renfrewshire Council
Renfrewshire Council

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
Information Lecture: Help and Healing on the Spiritual Path through the teaching of Bruno Groening

Information Lecture: Help and Healing on the Spiritual Path through the teaching of Bruno Groening

Selected dates between 23rd March 2025 - 21st December 2025

A lecture about spiritual healing and help through the teaching of Bruno Groening is taking place at The Open Door Community Centre, Edinburgh on various dates throughout the year.

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
Natural Wine, What Does it Mean?

Natural Wine, What Does it Mean?

22nd October 2025

Mags Janjo is a trail blazer in the natural wine world. Come along to Drinkmonger on 22nd October for an amazing tasting as Mags explains his scientific approach to making natural wines!

READ MORE
The air we breathe: Air pollution and health past and present

The air we breathe: Air pollution and health past and present

23rd October 2025

Join the Royal College of Nursing on 23rd October, in person or online, for this talk exploring historical and current action to address air pollution effects on health.

READ MORE
‘Engraved on Man’s Skin’: The Auld Alliance, Much More than a Military Alliance

‘Engraved on Man’s Skin’: The Auld Alliance, Much More than a Military Alliance

23rd October 2025

This talk examines a series of important, but less well-studied, figures who shaped the Auld Alliance during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.

READ MORE
The Aftermath of the Auld Alliance: Franco-Scottish attitudes from the Union of the Crowns to the age of romanticism

The Aftermath of the Auld Alliance: Franco-Scottish attitudes from the Union of the Crowns to the age of romanticism

23rd October 2025

Clarisse Godard Desmarest, Professor of British Cultural Studies at the University of Picardie Jules Verne, presents this talk on The Aftermath of the Auld Alliance.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Murrayfield Experience
Open Pass Scotland
Murrayfield Experience
Edinburgh Street Historians
Hilton Glasgow
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Children's Classic Concerts
Hilton Glasgow
Fayre Play
Wonder & Co
Renfrewshire Council
Renfrewshire Council
Murrayfield Experience
Open Pass Scotland
Murrayfield Experience
Edinburgh Street Historians
Hilton Glasgow
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience

Popular Events

Conifox Terror Scream Park
Terror Scream Park, Edinburgh’s most intense 18+ horror event, launches for the very first time this autumn at Conifox Adventure Park.
Edinburgh Diwali
The South Asian festival of Diwali, which is celebrated by different cultures and religions all over the world, returns to Edinburgh with a multi-cultural feast of light, music and dance!
Halloween Family Trail
Free this Halloween, can you find all 8 ghosts hidden around the St Cecilia's Hall galleries and answer each of their questions?
Matt Storm
Matt Storm's music fuses vintage soul and jazz with modern alternative sounds. Catch him at Sneaky Pete's Edinburgh on Tuesday 10th February!
Beneath the Surface: King’s Gallery Short Talks
Join our team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for weekly gallery talks as part of the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance!

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