Durst CLS66 - asbestos?

[kuparikettu]

Some time ago I read here a post on Durst CLS35 having an asbestos insulator ring. Owning a Durst CLS66 color head I was left wondering whether or not there is asbestos and whether or not I need to do anything about it. So, if there is someone who has better knowledge on which materials were used on these Durst units I'd appreciate receiving it myself as well.

Good thing is, the only part even remotely resembling asbestos is around the cable which goes through the top heat sink -- and concerning the top (1st photo), I'm not even sure if it's mineral-y or some soft fluffy insulation material. Haven't wanted to touch it...

Please see these photos in full resolution:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzGuG3M9LOIMUmNnXzZRa3lYMVNJSGNTMWNhM2ItbVJCS0lj&authuser=0
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzGuG3M9LOIMVndYZHZYVEhFSFJPYUwwYm12YjBzRHh5bGxj&authuser=0

I have no intention of opening the heat sink or removing the cable or doing anything like that. I just want to be sure that it is safe to use this enlarger It's stupid, I know -- but any info available to help me find peace of mind?

 

[ic-racer]

Asbestos covered wires frequently look fuzzy.
I'd treat the insulator ring around the lamp as Asbestos and manage appropriately.

There is a health risk of you inhale the fibers and smoke cigarettes. You will be safe if you avoid those two.

 

[flavio81]

Asbestos is safe as long as asbestos dust is not breathed...

The amount is very little; i wouldn't worry at all. Asbestos performs a noble function: it is not flammable.

Edit:

See:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[kuparikettu]

Thanks. I'm not a smoker and have never been, so at least that part is well and good.

The linked topic is exactly the one that left me wondering if I ought to do something. There is discussion of using some silicon sealant -- do you think it is necessary, if the white material in the upper linked photo is some textile asbestos insulation? Does that material break down on its own so that particles could be floating around when the air gets hot from using the enlarger? Or should I just do nothing and keep from touching it at all -- and try to remind myself that there are asbestos particles here and there and everywhere since it was a material much used in disc brakes before later being banned...

 

[AgX]

I have not seen asbestos in photo gear that young.
But it looks like an asbestos washer. (What I also never saw at a lamp fixture of such kind.)

Replacing it, the normal way, would probably set free more fibers than leaving it as it is.

 

[john_s]

......Replacing it, the normal way, would probably set free more fibers than leaving it as it is.

I suspect that is likely to be correct.

I wonder if there's a heat-resistant liquid treatment that would bond with the surface.

 

[AgX]

heat resistant, hardening Silicone-rubber paste

 

[fotch]

It looks like as long as it is not being handled, moved about, etc, not much to be worried about. I guess you can also worry if the paint used was lead based. However, if your going to worry about it, then go ahead & seal it with something. The question then, is what to use. Perhaps a light coat of water based paint?

 

[john_s]

It looks like as long as it is not being handled, moved about, etc, not much to be worried about. I guess you can also worry if the paint used was lead based. However, if your going to worry about it, then go ahead & seal it with something. The question then, is what to use. Perhaps a light coat of water based paint?

I think that lead and asbestos are vastly different.

 

[mgb74]

The term is friable (sp?) when asbestos is in a state where dust/fibers can be released into the atmosphere. Generally, it's when the asbestos containing object is no longer in it's original state. Personally, I would leave it as is until you find it necessary to remove or it degrades. If/when that happens, then remove with gloves and a simple mask (my 2 cents, I'm not an expert).

If the enlarger was manufactured in the 80s or 90s, unlikely to be asbestos.

 

[kuparikettu]

CLS66 is the color head for M601 and it might be from the 1960s. Certainly not younger than 1970s. Having thought about this a little I think I'll follow advice given here and buy some silicone sealant tomorrow and use that. It'll at least give me some peace of mind even though there probably is no real reason to worry too much about it -- the amount of asbestos in one insulator ring is really small and it won't fly off it on its own at least not in mentionable quantities unless being disturbed -- and even then it's nowhere near the amounts freed by doing renovations in a house with asbestos in it, with which stories of people getting ill with minimal exposure seem to be usually linked to.

 

[AgX]

CLS66 is the color head for M601 and it might be from the 1960s. Certainly not younger than 1970s.

It is from 1975.