10 Deadly Things People Used To Think Were Harmless

9. Asbestos

Asbestos is as old as the hills. People were making ceramic pots out of it way back in 2500BC. However, it wasn€™t until the industrial revolution that it became a household name.

The Victorians used it to make paper, textiles, building materials, fireproofing, car parts and even cigarette filters. It became apparent in the early 20th century, however, that it was causing both lung cancer and a respiratory condition that came to be known as asbestosis.

All things considered, asbestos may well have saved a number of lives with its flame retardant properties but it certainly did a great job of balancing things out in the end.

 
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Peter Austin initially joined WhatCulture as an occasional contributor to our Film, Gaming and Science sections, but made the mistake of telling us that he'd been making videos in his bedroom for over a decade. Since then he's been a vital member of our YouTube team and routinely sets the standard for smart-casual wear in the office.