Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as bundles of fine fibrous fibres that are durable. They are able to withstand flames, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength. Asbestos is a component in many products, including floor tiles and insulation, paint, and fabric that is heat-resistant.

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 due to the fact that it was cheap, durable and fireproof. However, it was also discovered to be extremely hazardous and was linked to mesothelioma and other illnesses. Some countries still employ asbestos but a global prohibition is needed.

Health care professionals continue to warn that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and any amount of exposure is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is safer than the older versions of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and non-friable.

This type of asbestos is less dangerous than the amphibole asbestos types however, it is hazardous for workers to work with. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular type of asbestos mined, and is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile which is a brownish golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous mineral. Under an electron microscope, the fibres look more like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that have been rolled in spiral form.

Chrysotile has been proven to cause a variety of ailments which include pleural mesothelioma, asbestos claim lung cancer, and other respiratory problems. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease. Those who work with chrysotile are particularly at risk for developing these illnesses because they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Those who work in construction and automobile repair are most likely to encounter chrysotile asbestos because it was once a well-known. It can be found in older vehicles and homes.

Amosite

Asbest is comprised of six different types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its unique chemical composition and properties however, all six are associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile and Crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite (white asbestos), tremolite anthophyllite and tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular asbestos type in the United States. Many homes and businesses still 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 comprise cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.

All forms of asbestos pose dangers when inhaled. Inhaling asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural diseases and mesothelioma. Inhalation is by far the most common method of exposure to asbestos, however it can also occur when working or handling the fibres. Exposure to asbestos is especially risky if the material is friable. This means they can crumble easily, and then become dust particles that are airborne.

Friability is related to the fibers' thickness and their length. The longer and more dense fibers are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate deep into the lungs.

The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers work with or remove it. This is because asbestos is an extremely fine material that can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed it can release small fibres in the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping can cause the fibres break up when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos case (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres, which are tough and brittle. They are also more dangerous to breathe in. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most well-known forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These asbestos types are commonly found in natural deposits alongside the chrysotile asbestos. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite and mixed with chrysotile within the deposit.

Asbestos is present in many products, including asbestos cement pipes sheets, friction materials used in car brakes, coatings, and gaskets. The fibres are made into paper, fabric, thread, mastics or bonded with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the best application. The shorter fibres are usually employed in electrical insulation, textiles and filters, whereas the longer fibres are utilized in asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

A variety of studies have reported an association between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. The findings of these studies differ, however, and the conclusions are influenced by the relatively sparse literature on the subject. In general the risk of stomach cancer is likely to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The effect is reduced when the time from the initial exposure is taken into consideration.

Other types of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the abdominal lining and chest). Children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons behind this are not known.

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 attorney disease. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs, such as the stomach, heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma which is a rare cancer that affects lung and lining.

Asbestos consists of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It can be found in many different products. It was once widely used in construction but is now banned due to its ill effects.

Most people do not get sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. However, those that do get sick are usually exposed frequently to asbestos while working in a particular job and often for a long period of time. The most frequent jobs that require asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, government regulations have helped reduce the use of asbestos and it is now present in fewer buildings. Some older household products like crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos could cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile is the most well-known type of asbestos. Crocidolite as well as Amphibole are forms of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing material is disturbed microscopically, tiny fibres are released into the air and could be inhaled. These fibres can get trapped inside the lungs if inhaled. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma and other diseases that may take years to develop. Smoking and having a family history of asbestos-related ailments are additional factors which increase your risk of developing.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used to make insulation or in the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. The fibers are later taken in by swallowing or inhalation and cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is the lining which covers organs. Mesothelioma can be found in the linings of the lungs and abdomen. In some instances it can also be found in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma owing to exposure to asbestos at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult recognize because symptoms aren't specific and often resemble those of other diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if you are at a higher risk for the disease.

Once the mesothelioma diagnosis is established, your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma you have. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent form of this disease and accounts for about 80% of all mesothelioma cases each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic cancers that contain epithelioid aswell as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you in light of the type of mesothelioma. Based on your location as well as the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment can increase your chances of surviving.