Handled properly, its downside effects can be avoided. But I have heard that some manufacturers (like Mattel, for instance) have made an end-run around the FFL laws such that even children can purchase guns that use this material as ammunition. Fortunately, our public schools have managed to detect the little terrorists who bring them to class, immediately arresting them and placing them in the hands of proper authorities. Thus many school children have been protected from the actions of these little hate-mongers.
On the other hand, even the local groceries and minimarkets have been allowed to sell to anyone the less harmful forms of this fluid, when it has been passivated by filtration or deionization and labeled accordingly. This has been a very profitable venture, with only rare legal challenges.
In its naturally occurring form, it has been the source of recreation for both mankind and animals. Certain canine breeds are very clever at locating standing pools of it, particularly the Labrador retriever variety, even though there are no fowl in the vicinity. Such unrestricted access can result in much time and effort for the post-immersion cleanup process.
There are many stories about the dangers, and instruction in them ought to be taken very seriously, but even more serious is the lack of it, especially in older people, where dehydration can bring vertigo and even death.
So be it. The above is just funning.
But here is a true warning about the body's need for water!
On July 4, 2012, I was deathly ill of dehydration, and needed to be transported by ambulance to the hospital for its treatment. In the time from the emergency rehydration treatment until arrival at the hospital, it took two liters of intravenous saline solution to restore and stabilize my blood pressure to anything like normal.
No foolin'. Almost killed me. Keep hydrated, folks!
I've read (but no long can find the data) that a couple managed to lose their raft/kayak/boat whatever, while boating from Moab on down stream to a remote pickup point.
Not hurt; made it to shore and waited; waving bye-bye to all their gear and supplies heading towards Vegas at a pretty good rate; for jetboats and such that would be going through their location within a few days.
They got VERY thirsty, but were afraid of the giardia lurking in the water.
The woman finally drank from the river; the man refused to do so and caused his own death.
Read and heed!
Giardiasis has an incubation period of seven to twenty-one days and must be diagnosed by a physician analyzing the victim’s stool for giardia’s microscopic cysts. Some of the symptoms for giardiasis include bloating, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, flatulence, cramping, low-grade fever, and loss of appetite.
Beavers (along with humans and other animals—domestic and wild) are known carriers of the disease, and believe it or not, Grand Canyon has beavers. My filter clogged up and I needed water, so not having a way to purify water, I drank right out of the stream. One thing to remember if you are in the same situation; always drink the water. You can be treated for giardia later; DEATH from dehydration is harder to treat! Because of this situation, I now carry purification tablets as well as a filter. The additional ounce in weight is well worth the safety net it provides.