| For thousands of years, mankind has taken advantage | | | | concrete. Due to the strength and flexibility of these |
| of the highly insulating properties of asbestos. | | | | fibers, it was once considered a beneficial additive. |
| Asbestos protects against heat, flame, chemicals, and | | | | Now, though, as these water mains get older and |
| electricity, so it is no wonder that it quickly became a | | | | older, the asbestos can break down and leach into the |
| component of everything from concrete to ceiling tiles | | | | water supply. |
| in the modern world. However, in the 1950s, doctors | | | | You can absorb asbestos fibers either by inhalation or |
| realized that asbestos is almost the sole cause of a | | | | ingestion. If the carcinogenic fiber leaches into your |
| deadly cancer called mesothelioma, as well as other | | | | drinking water, you can ingest the particles. They can |
| diseases like asbestosis. Frighteningly, one source of | | | | then become lodged into your throat, esophagus, and |
| asbestos is the water supply. | | | | entire gastrointestinal system. It can also spread to |
| Many people do not consider asbestos a threat | | | | your kidneys. This is why everything from stomach |
| anymore since it was mostly banned and very strictly | | | | cancer to kidney cancer can be caused by exposure |
| regulated starting in the 1980s. However, this | | | | to asbestos. |
| dangerous mineral is still very much a part of older | | | | You can also come into contact with asbestos through |
| buildings and pipelines, since it was too difficult to | | | | inhalation. For instance, if you are taking a hot shower, |
| replace all of the asbestos-laden products found in | | | | the steamy air can carry microscopic fibers. When |
| structures completed before the ban. | | | | you inhale the steam, the particles can stick in your |
| One dangerous source of asbestos is the water | | | | throat and lungs, where you can develop |
| supply. Large water mains that run throughout | | | | mesothelioma. |
| municipalities were often made of asbestos-reinforced | | | | |