The Romans knew about and documented the risks of asbestos, so don't be so sure. They also knew about some of the risks of lead. Vitruvius (during Augustus) wr

The Romans knew about and documented the risks of asbestos, so don't be so sure. They also knew about some of the risks of lead. Vitruvius (during Augustus) wrote that water through clay pipes is better and purer, and others comment about how the care you need to take when preparing food in leaden vessels. e.g. https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/wine/leadpoisoning.html https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/wi...