I finally paid $45 for a 'rare' 1950s gardening book and it's just full of asbestos warnings

Everyone raves about finding those old timey how-to books but mine literally has a chapter on mixing asbestos into soil for 'better drainage' and I'm not sure if I should keep it or throw it out. Has anyone else grabbed an old book only to realize it's basically a hazard manual?

2 comments

2 Comments

kim_sanchez199d ago

Wait didn't I just read a thing about how people in the 50s literally thought asbestos was a miracle material (which is terrifying honestly)? That's kind of hilarious and scary at the same time though. I'd probably keep it for the novelty but never actually use any of the advice (obviously). The way they mixed it into soil like it was no big deal really shows how much times have changed. Maybe put it in a ziploc bag or something so it doesn't shed fibers everywhere. Honestly those old books are cool glimpses into history but this one might be better as a coffee table conversation piece than a gardening guide.

sethp268d agoMost Upvoted

Have you checked if the fibers are actually loose or sealed in the book?