Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of asbestos naturally form bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat, chemicals and electrical conductivity. They also have excellent tensile strength and wear. Asbestos is used in a variety of products including flooring tiles, insulation paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in 1980, Chrysotile (also called white asbestos law) was the most commonly used form of the mineral. This was because it was inexpensive, durable and fireproof. It was discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to diseases like mesothelioma. Some countries still employ asbestos but a global ban is needed.

Health care professionals are continuing to warn that all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than other forms of the mineral, because it's tightly packaged and non-friable.

Although this type of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos, it's still a risk to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used type of asbestos mined, and is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cancer cases around the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral that looks like threads and feels supple to the touch. Under an electron microscope the fibers look like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral rolled in spiral form.

Chrysotile has been shown to cause a range of ailments which include pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer and other respiratory issues. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. Those who work with chrysotile are especially at risk for developing these diseases since they are frequently in contact with the mineral. Those who work in construction and automobile repair are most likely to come across chrysotile asbestos compensation because it was once extremely well-known. It is found in old homes and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six kinds of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used as asbestos. Each mineral has its unique chemical composition and properties however, all six are linked to increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite, amosite and asbestos claim anthophyllite as well as tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most common asbestos type in the United States. Numerous homes and businesses have it in their walls, roofs, and floors. It was also used for gaskets, thermal insulation, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile are shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.

Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is a risk. Exposure to any form of asbestos can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma and other lung diseases. Inhalation is the most common route of exposure to asbestos, but it can also happen when working or handling the fibers. Exposure to asbestos is especially hazardous when materials are fragile. This means that they are prone to breaking down easily and eventually, they can become airborne dust particles.

Friability is a result of the length and thickness of the fibers. Thicker and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs, whereas thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do so.

The exposure to asbestos happens most often when workers work with or remove it. This is because asbestos is a fine material and can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed, it may release small fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping motion can cause the fibres to break apart when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres, which are soft and brittle. They are also more hazardous to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) as well as amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most common amphibole asbestos, but it is also found in different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are often found in natural deposits as well as the chrysotile asbestos. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite and mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos is found in a variety of products, such as asbestos cement pipes, sheets, friction materials used for coatings, brakes for cars, and gaskets. The fibres are made into paper, fabric, mastics, thread, or bonded with Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the most suitable application. The shorter fibres are used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters, and flooring, whereas the longer ones are utilized for asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

A number of studies have found a link between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. The outcomes of these studies are varied, however, and the conclusions are influenced by the limited literature on the subject. In general, the risk of stomach cancer is likely to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The risk is lessened when latency from the first exposure is taken into consideration.

Other types of asbestos have been linked in the development of mesothelioma an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest (Mesothelioma). It has been discovered that children who are exposed to asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma than adults. The reasons for this are not clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most frequent asbestos-related disease. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a long time and is more dangerous than any other asbestos-related illness. It affects the lungs, and occasionally other organs like the stomach, the heart and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.

Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is found in a variety of different products and was once widely used in construction, however, it has been withdrawn because of its negative effects.

Most people do not get sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. However, those that do develop illness are typically exposed on a regular basis to asbestos in a particular job and often for a longer period of time. The most intense exposures tend to be in jobs such as mining, shipbuilding construction, and insulation. In recent years, federal regulations helped to limit the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. Certain household items from the past, such as crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos could cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized kind of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed microscopic fibres release into the air and may be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped inside the lungs if inhaled. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other diseases that can take years to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family background of asbestos-related diseases are also factors that increase your chance of developing.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. The fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, leading to serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that is found in the organ's lining known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can be found in the tissues of the lungs and abdomen. In some cases it can also be found on the tissues of the heart, or testicles.

Asbestos victims are most likely to develop mesothelioma as result of exposure to asbestos at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may be difficult to identify because the symptoms aren't always specific and often resemble those of other diseases. As a result, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they need.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma starts with a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will conduct your medical history in detail and inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your are at a higher risk for the disease.

Your doctor will determine the kind of mesothelioma that you have once mesothelioma is identified. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common type of this disease, accounts for about 80 percent of mesothelioma cases each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid, as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you in light of the type of mesothelioma. Based on your location and the type of mesothelioma, treatment can help increase your chances of surviving.