An entire generation probably first learned the word “mesothelioma” and its link to asbestos from those ubiquitous commercials in the 1990s and 2000s. You know the one: “if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma you may be entitled to financial compensation.” These commercials made it seem like mesothelioma suddenly came out of nowhere. Was this a newly discovered disease? Wasn’t asbestos banned? How did asbestos cause mesothelioma? Heck, what even was asbestos? By seeking to answer all those questions and more, this episode picks up where those commercials left off. We detail how teeny tiny asbestos fibers can wreak immense devastation, untangle the long human history of asbestos products, and assess the current status of this fibrous mineral, which is disappointingly far from banned worldwide. No story of asbestos would be complete without a spotlight on the town of Libby, Montana, where brave crusaders continue to fight against a company whose callous negligence led to injury, death, and widespread environmental contamination. Tune in to find out where salamanders, The Wizard of Oz, Charlemagne, and The River Wild fit into the story of asbestos.
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Ep 152 Hemochromatosis: Ironing out the details
Special Episode: Dan Egan & The Devil’s Element
Ep 151 Stethoscope: Lub dub
Ep 150 Norovirus: Tip of the poop iceberg
Special Episode: Maria Smilios & The Black Angels
Ep 149 Poison Control Part 2: Call me maybe
Ep 148 Poison Control Part 1: Who you gonna call?
Special Episode: Ben Goldfarb & Crossings
Ep 147 Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease: Sympathy for the Devil
Ep 146 Celiac Disease: Rootin tootin gluten
Special Episode: Dr. Rageshri Dhairyawan & Unheard
Ep 145 IVF, Part 3: Industry
Ep 144 IVF, Part 2: Invention
Ep 143 IVF, Part 1: Infertility
Special Episode: Dr. Noah Whiteman & Most Delicious Poison
Ep 142 Leeches: It’s more powerful than magic, it’s nature
Special Episode: Dr. Paul Offit & Tell Me When It’s Over
Ep 141 Maggots: Such noble work
Ep 140 Nipah virus: Of Fruit and Bats
Special Episode: Dr. Sara Manning Peskin & A Molecule Away from Madness
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