The city of Marston, in Missouri, is to replace aging, asbestos-containing water pipes with a new system.

The original pipes were installed in the mid-1950's and are now leaking because they have become brittle with age. Up to now, the pipes have not been repaired because of the dangers to workers from inhaling the asbestos dust when attaching pvc fittings. Although there is little research on the problems associated with the ingestion of asbestos (as opposed to inhaling it), but the EPA advises that it could lead to stomach, colon and kidney cancer.

Mesothelioma Web