What is a significant health concern associated with asbestos cement pipe?

Asbestos cement pipes were commonly used in water distribution systems due to their durability and resistance to corrosion; however, a significant health concern arises from the asbestos fibers themselves. When these pipes are disturbed during installation, repair, or replacement, they may release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Inhalation of these fibers can lead to serious health issues, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, making the health risks to construction workers particularly significant.

The other options, while they may bring to light some characteristics or drawbacks of asbestos cement pipes, do not focus on the critical and life-threatening health implications posed by the material. The brittleness of the material primarily refers to the physical properties affecting its integrity, while difficulty in cutting and shaping it relates more to the challenges in handling the material rather than health impacts. High maintenance costs, although a consideration in operational aspects, do not directly correlate with health risks associated with asbestos exposure.