Types of Asbestos

All six types of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as a bundle of thin, durable fibres. They are able to withstand flames, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding tensile strength and wear. Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products, including flooring tiles, insulation, paint and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in the year 1980, Chrysotile (also known as white asbestos) was the most frequently used form of the mineral. This was because it was cheap, durable and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely risky and linked to mesothelioma and other illnesses. Some countries still use asbestos but a global ban is needed.

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

This kind of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos types however, it is dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly used type of asbestos mined, and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases across the world. Chrysotile, a gold-colored brownish mineral that is soft and appears like threads is a fibrous minerals. In an electron microscope, the fibers look more like tubes. They are actually a mixture of structural layers of minerals formed into spirals.

Chrysotile has been found to cause a variety of diseases such as pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and other respiratory problems. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. These diseases are more common in those who work with chrysotile due to of their prolonged contact with it. Asbestos chrysotile was once widely used in auto and construction repair. It can be found in older buildings and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and physical properties. However they are all associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular form of asbestos in the United States. It is still used in the roofs, walls and floors of a variety of buildings and homes. It was also used in automobile brake gaskets, linings for boilers, gaskets and seals and thermal insulation. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile are shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.

All forms of asbestos pose dangers when inhaled. Inhaling any form of asbestos can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma and other disorders of the pleura. Exposure to asbestos is most typically caused by inhalation but it can also be triggered by handling or working with asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means they are susceptible to crumbling easily and turn into airborne dust particles.

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

The exposure to asbestos happens most often when workers are handling or removing it. This is because asbestos is an extremely fine material that can be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it could release tiny fibres in the air. This is because a sweeping motion can cause the fibres break up, while vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos is different from serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) has long straight fibres which are brittle. They are also more dangerous to inhale. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most common amphibole asbestos. However, they also exist in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are found in natural deposits containing chrysotile. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposit.

Asbestos is used in a range of products including asbestos cement pipes and sheets and friction materials used in car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are weaved into paper, fabric, thread, mastics, or bound with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the most suitable application. The shortest fibres are generally used in textiles, electrical insulation and filters. The longer fibres are used in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, and flooring.

Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. These studies have varied results however the conclusions are limited due to the lack of literature. Generally, the risk for stomach cancer appears to increase with the increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the impact is diminished when the length of time from the first exposure is taken into consideration.

Other forms of asbestos can be implicated in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the abdomen's lining and chest). Children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reason isn't clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is among the most frequently-assuaged diseases caused by asbestos. It is caused by asbestos exposure over a long period of time and is more serious than any other asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs, and occasionally other organs, such as the stomach, the heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma. a rare cancer that affects lung and lining.

Asbestos belongs to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is widely used in construction and is present in a myriad of products.

Most people do not get sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. Those who do become sick are often exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific job, and for a long amount of time. The most extensive exposures tends to be found in occupations like shipbuilding, mining construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government have helped limit the use of asbestos and it is now used in fewer buildings. It is still in some older household items, like crayons and toys for children.

All types of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma, 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, they release microscopic fibers that are released into the air and can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers can become trapped deep within the lungs. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This could result in mesothelioma, lung cancer or other conditions that take a long time to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos law-related disease include smoking and having an ancestor with the disease.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for the production of insulation or in the construction of homes it releases tiny asbestos fibers into air. These fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health conditions like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of organs known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can be found in the tissues of the lungs and asbestos abdomen. In some cases it can also be found on the tissues of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma owing to 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 specific and are often similar to symptoms of other diseases. This is why mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they need.

A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about your medical background as well as any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your are at a higher risk for the disease.

Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from once mesothelioma is identified. Pleural mesothelioma is the most frequent type of the disease, accounts for approximately 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses every year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid, as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment option for you in light of the type of mesothelioma. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment can increase the chances of survival.