Types of Asbestos

All six types of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as bundles of thin long, tough fibres. They are able to withstand chemical, heat, fire and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products like flooring tiles, insulation, paint and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in the year 1980 Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most commonly used form of the mineral. This was because it was affordable, durable, and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. Certain countries continue to use asbestos, but a worldwide ban is needed.

Health care professionals continue to warn that all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and no amount of exposure is safe. However, despite this, companies who mine and sell chrysotile say that the asbestos litigation (this article) they make is more safe than older forms of the mineral because it is tightly packed and unfriable.

This type of asbestos is less harmful than the amphibole asbestos types however, it is hazardous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular type of asbestos mined and is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral that appears like threads, and feels soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibers look like tubes and are made up of structural layers of the mineral rolled in spiral form.

Chrysotile has been shown to cause a range of illnesses that include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer, and other respiratory issues. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease. People who work with chrysotile have a greater chance of being at risk for developing these diseases because they are frequently in contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile used to be extensively employed in the construction industry and auto repair. It could be found in older homes and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is composed of six different kinds of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has a different chemical composition and physical properties. However, all six are associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. This includes amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile, the crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite (white asbestos), tremolite anthophyllite, and tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known asbestos type in the United States. Many businesses and homes have it on 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.

All types of asbestos are harmful when inhaled. The exposure to any form of asbestos lawyer can lead to mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other pleural diseases. Inhalation is the most common method of exposure to asbestos, however, it is also possible to be exposed by handling or working with the asbestos fibres. Exposure is especially dangerous when the materials are brittle that is to say they break down easily and can be airborne as dust particles.

Friability is a function of length and the thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibres are more likely to penetrate into the lungs, while shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do this.

The most popular method to expose workers to asbestos is by working with or removing it. This is due to asbestos being a very fine substance and can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed, it could release tiny fibres into the air. This is because sweeping may cause fibres to break up when vacuuming them, whereas sweeping causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

As opposed to serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole asbestos has long straight chain-like fibres that are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These asbestos types are found in natural deposits along with Chrysotile. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite and combined with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos is present in a variety products, including asbestos cement pipe, sheets, friction materials used for coatings, brakes for cars, and gaskets. The fibres can be woven into papers, fabrics, mastics and thread or tied by Portland cement resins or plastics. The length and the size of the fibres will determine which is the best application. The shorter fibres are used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, whereas the longer ones are used for asbestos cement pipes, sheets, and flooring.

A variety of studies have reported an association between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. The findings of these studies differ, however the conclusions are influenced by the limited literature on this subject. Generally speaking, the risk of stomach cancer is believed to increase with increasing cumulative exposure to asbestos. The effect is diminished when the time from the initial exposure is taken into consideration.

Other forms of asbestos are implicated in the development mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest). It has been observed that children who are exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reasons are unknown.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one the most common illnesses caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a prolonged period of time, and is more serious than any other asbestos disease. It can affect the lungs and occasionally other organs such as the stomach or the heart. It is also a cause of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lung.

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is widely used in the construction industry and is found in many different products.

Most people don't become sick from a low amount of asbestos in the air. However, those that get sick are typically exposed regularly to asbestos during a specific job, and usually for a longer period of time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos attorney are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have helped limit the use of and the presence of asbestos in buildings. It is still in some older household items, like children's toys and crayons.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly recognized kind of asbestos. Crocidolite and Amphibole are both types of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing material is disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and could be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres may become trapped deep inside the lung. The asbestos fibres may cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma and asbestos litigation other diseases that may take years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking and having a family history of the disease.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used in the manufacturing of insulation or in the construction of homes, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers can be breathed in or swallowed, causing serious health issues like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the organ's lining known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma typically affects the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some cases it can also occur in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of exposure at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because symptoms aren't specific and frequently resemble symptoms of other diseases. In the end, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients might not receive the treatment they need.

A visit to your doctor is the first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, including any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if the risk of developing the disease is higher.

Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from once a mesothelioma is diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma (the most common type of this disease, accounts for approximately 80% of mesothelioma diagnosis every year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic type of mesothelioma. This type contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment option for you according to the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can increase your chances of survival based on the type and location of mesothelioma.