Do you own any of these flasks? Dubai releases full list of banned asbestos-laden products

Consumer chiefs in Dubai have revealed the full list of banned thermal flasks containing cancer-causing asbestos fibres.

Flasks from popular brands including Geepas, Kitchenmark and Homeway are among the 41 products outlawed by authorities.

Retailers were instructed to remove these items from shelves with immediate effect last week.

Consumers have been urged to purchase flasks carrying the Emirates Conformity Assessment System mark, which guarantees they are safe to use.

The mark was established by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma).

“The commercial compliance and consumer protection sector in Dubai has set up a specialised team in co-operation with the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology to address traders and guide them to withdraw asbestos-containing thermal flasks,” said Mohammed Lootah, chief executive of the consumer protection sector at Dubai's Department of Economic Development.

The flasks in question appear to be made with glass inserts. This style of flask is hugely popular in the UAE and are a presence at many parties.

Asbestos, meanwhile, is known to be an effective insulator and was once used widely across the globe in buildings and consumer products.

But it can pose a danger to health if disturbed. If the flask breaks, for example, cancer-causing fibres are released into the air which the user could inhale.

Other countries have imposed similar restrictions.

The full list of banned flasks released is available here.