Despite asbestos fibres being carcinogenic when inhaled, there is no evidence that asbestos-cement “transite” water mains cause contamination of the water they deliver. Cutting the pipe during installation was another matter, and required precautions which were some times not taken. There is a substantial amount of transite pipe still in use, which will require care in removal and disposal when it is eventually replaced after its typical service lifespan of 70 years.
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