Hazardous asbestos fibres in drinking water

Asbestos is a natural metallic material that was widely used in many construction and other industrial applications in the ^19th century, thanks to its resistance to fire, as well as its sound and heat insulation properties. Because asbestos fibres have a positive charge and our cells have a negative charge, they come together like a pin and a magnet. At first they destroy our cell membrane and then they pave the way for the disease. The bad thing is that they cannot be seen with the naked eye but can only be detected with a special electron microscope. However, after decades of use, it was discovered that asbestos can cause serious diseases, including cancer and calcification.

Asbestos fibres can easily appear in our water supply networks and water from the corrosion of asbestos pipes. In the past, some water pipes were constructed with lime cement pipes or other materials containing asbestos. Over time, these pipes, which still exist in many areas, can wear out or corrode, releasing asbestos fibres into drinking water with all the negative effects and consequences for people’s health.

When these fibres are consumed or inhaled, they can end up in the lungs and stomach and cause inflammation or other major diseases. Long-term exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of developing diseases such as calcific pleurisy, a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibres, and of course increases the risk of cancer.

Although many countries are gradually replacing asbestos-containing pipes, there is always a risk of residues. It is therefore important for the public to be aware of the risks of asbestos and to take appropriate precautions to protect their health.

The first main measure is to have a certified filter such as Camelot® water filters, to make sure that we drink clean, healthy water without chemical poisons and without asbestos fibers. Our health takes precedence over anything else.