Reddit Users Flag 32 Modern 'Asbestos' Risks, Led by Microplastics, AI and Social Media
Updated
Updated · BuzzFeed · Aug 9
Reddit Users Flag 32 Modern 'Asbestos' Risks, Led by Microplastics, AI and Social Media
3 articles · Updated · BuzzFeed · Aug 9
Summary
A Reddit thread asking for today’s version of asbestos drew 32 commonly cited risks, with users most often pointing to microplastics and PFAS, AI dependence, and algorithm-driven social media.
The answers centered on hazards people see as normalized now but potentially damaging over decades, including vapes, energy drinks, chronic stress, long COVID, silica dust, brake dust, and plastic water pipes.
Several replies focused less on chemicals than behavior and systems, arguing that disappearing social spaces, posting children online, concentrated wealth, and heavy reliance on GLP-1 drugs could carry long-tail social or health costs.
The report frames the list as public suspicion rather than established science, noting the responses were edited for clarity and urging readers to treat them as prompts for research and awareness, not proof.