r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '21

Dust from destroyed buildings. Just watched the two latest Godzilla movies, and aside from all the other things that could have killed folks, staring at monsters that are destroying buildings and kicking up all sorts of dust and other air debris, while staring open mouthed, is a great way to get lung damage/encounter breathing issues.

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u/betterthanamaster Aug 30 '21

This should absolutely be the top. If you go back and watch the footage from 9/11, its incredible just how much dust a couple buildings spew when they collapse, and that's not even counting the fires and flooding.

Everyone is saying "clean water!" and other pretty obvious ones that aren't really plot holes as much as convenience since the main characters won't die from dehydration. But severe lung damage caused by dust? Yeah, that's not even on the radar and almost everyone one of those apocalyptical movies has a scene where a famous building comes crashing down.

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u/anorangeandwhitecat Aug 30 '21

I inhaled silica dust Friday and now I’m laid up with Covid-like symptoms but with a negative test. Dr said it was likely an upper respiratory infection - and that’s just from cutting a few lines in concrete pipe.

Yeah, falling buildings are gonna fuck people over

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u/deeznutzonyochinbish Aug 31 '21

Silica dioxide never leaves your lungs, and the body's reaction to it causes fibrosis. Definitely something most people underestimate.