Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as a bundle of thin, durable fibres. They are able to withstand heat, chemicals, fire and electrical conductivity. They also have exceptional tensile strength and wear. Asbestos is used in many products such as floor tiles, insulation paint, as well as heat-resistant fabric.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile also known as white asbestos, was the most common form of the mineral used in a variety of products prior to its ban in the 1980s. This was because it was affordable, durable and fireproof. It was discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma and other cancers. Some countries still use asbestos, however a global ban is required.

Health care professionals continue to warn that all types of asbestos, including chrysotile can cause cancer and no amount of exposure is safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is more safe than earlier forms of the mineral because it is tightly packed and non-friable.

Although this type of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos, it is nevertheless a danger to handle. Chrysotile is the most frequently mined asbestos and is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases worldwide. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that is soft and appears like threads, is a fibrous mineral. Under an electron microscope, the fibers look like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile has been shown to be the cause of many illnesses which include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer, and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease. These conditions are more prevalent for those who work with chrysotile because of their prolonged contact with it. Asbestos chrysotile was previously widely used in construction and auto repair. It is found in older vehicles and homes.

Amosite

Asbest is comprised of six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties. However, all six are associated with a higher risk of mesothelioma. These include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile and crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite anthophyllite, and tremolite.

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

All forms of asbestos are dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other conditions of the pleura. Inhalation is the most frequent way to be exposed to asbestos, but it can also happen when handling or working with the asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly risky if the material is friable. This means that they can crumble easily, and become dust particles in the air.

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

The most frequent method to expose workers to asbestos is by taking it off or handling asbestos. This is because asbestos is a very fine material and may be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed, it may release tiny fibres into air. This is because sweeping may cause fibres to break while vacuuming causes them stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Contrary to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibres which are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and Crocidolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite and actinolite. These kinds of asbestos can be found in natural deposits that contain the chrysotile. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos is utilized in a myriad of products including asbestos cement pipe and sheets, friction materials for car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are woven into paper, fabric thread, mastics or bound with Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the best application. The shorter fibres are typically employed in textiles, electrical insulation and filters; while the longer fibres are utilized in asbestos lawyer cement sheets, pipes and flooring.

A number of studies have suggested a link between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. The results of these studies differ, however the conclusions are limited by the comparatively limited literature on this subject. In general, the risk of developing stomach cancer appears to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The risk is lessened when the latency of the first exposure is taken into consideration.

Other forms of asbestos have been linked in the development of mesothelioma, a malignant tumor that affects the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). Children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons behind this are not understood.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most well-known asbestos-related disease. It can be caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, and is usually more severe than other forms of asbestos-related illnesses. It can affect the lungs and occasionally other organs such as the stomach or the heart. It can also cause mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects lung and lining.

Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is widely used in construction and is present in many different products.

The majority of people are not affected by the low levels of asbestos in the air. Those who do become sick are often exposed to asbestos on a regular basis in a specific job, and over a long period of time. The heaviest exposures tend to be in jobs like shipbuilding, mining construction, and insulation. In recent years, government regulations have reduced asbestos' use and it is now found in fewer buildings. Certain household items from the past like crayons and toys for children still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestos claim asbestosis and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most well-known form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled. Inhaling these fibres, they can be trapped deep within the lungs. The asbestos fibres can then cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma or other diseases that can take a long time to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family background of asbestos-related diseases are two factors which increase your risk.

Mesothelioma

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

The mesothelium is the lining that protects organs. Mesothelioma is typically found in the lung linings and the abdomen. In certain cases, it can also develop in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure at work. Mesothelioma can also be a problem for family members of asbestos workers. It can be difficult to determine mesothelioma since the symptoms aren't distinct and often resemble those of other diseases. In the end, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with visiting your doctor. Your doctor will take a complete medical history and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if your chance of developing the disease is greater.

Your doctor will determine the type of mesothelioma you have after a mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma (the most prevalent type of the disease, accounts to around 80 percent of mesothelioma cases each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma, which has epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the best course of action for you based on the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can increase your chances of survival based on the type and location of mesothelioma.