Types of Asbestos

The six varieties of amorphous asbestos can be found in nature as a bundle of thin long, tough fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat as well as chemical and electrical conductivity. They have a high tensile strength and wear strength. Asbestos is a component in many products, including floor tiles and insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos was the most widely used form of the mineral used in thousands of different products before it was banned in the 1980s. It was used because it was affordable, fireproof and long-lasting. It was found to be extremely harmful and connected to mesothelioma and other cancers. While some countries continue to employ asbestos, a complete global ban is now 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 that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than other forms of the mineral because it's a tightly packed and non-friable.

Although this type of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos, it is still dangerous to handle. Chrysotile is the most frequently mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases worldwide. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous mineral that appears like threads and is soft to the touch. Through electron microscopy, the fibres appear like tubes. They are actually a combination of structural layers of the minerals rolled into spiral form.

Chrysotile has been shown to be the cause of many diseases such as pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular disease. These conditions are more prevalent for those who work with chrysotile because of their long-term exposure to it. Those who work in construction and repair of vehicles are the most likely to come across Chrysotile asbestos as it was once very well-known. It can be found in older houses and vehicles.

Amosite

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

Chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos in the United States. It can still be found in the roofs, walls and floors of many buildings and homes. It was also used as thermal insulation, gaskets, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.

All types of asbestos are harmful when inhaled. Exposure to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the most common method of exposure to asbestos. However, it is also possible to be exposed by working with or handling asbestos fibres. Exposure is especially dangerous when the materials are brittle that is to say they break down easily and are then able to airborne as dust particles.

Friability is dependent on the size of the fibres as well as their length. The longer and more dense fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate into the lungs.

Exposure to asbestos occurs most often when workers remove or handle it. Asbestos is a very fine, crystallized substance that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed, it could release tiny fibres into air. This is because sweeping may cause fibres to break while vacuuming causes them stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

As opposed to serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos is composed of long, straight chain-like fibres, which are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and Crocidolite are the most commonly used forms of amphibole. Other types include anthophyllite, actinolite and. These types of asbestos are found in natural deposits with the chrysotile. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos within the deposits.

Asbestos is used in a variety of items including asbestos cement pipes and sheets and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets, and coatings. The fibres are weaved into paper, fabric, mastics, thread, or bonded with Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The length and size of the fibres determine the best application. The shorter fibres are usually employed in textiles, electrical insulation and filters; while the longer fibres are used in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, flooring and sheets.

Numerous studies have shown that asbestos exposure is linked to and stomach cancer. The findings of these studies differ, however the conclusions are limited by the relatively sparse literature on this topic. Generally, the risk for stomach cancer is believed to increase as a result of increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the impact is diminished when consideration of latency since first exposure is considered.

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

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one the most frequently-assuaged cancers caused by asbestos. It can be caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, and is usually more serious than other types of asbestos-related diseases. It affects the lungs, and sometimes other organs such as the stomach, the heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lung.

Asbestos belongs to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It was extensively employed in construction and asbestos claim can be found in many different products.

Most people aren't affected by the low levels of airborne asbestos. People who do develop illness are usually exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific job, and over a long period of time. The most intense exposures tend to be found in occupations like shipbuilding, mining, construction and insulation. In recent years, federal regulations helped to limit the use and amount of asbestos settlement in construction sites. Some of the older household items like crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.

All types of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most well-known type of asbestos. Crocidolite as well as Amphibole are forms of asbestos.

When asbestos settlement-containing material is disturbed microscopically, tiny fibres are released into the air and may be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres could become trapped in the lung. The asbestos fibres could cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could cause mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other illnesses that may take a long time to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking cigarettes and having an ancestral history of the condition.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used to manufacture insulation, or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. The fibers can be inhaled, or swallowed and cause serious health problems like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that develops in the organ's lining called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can be found in the tissues of the lungs and abdomen. In certain 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 to asbestos at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may be difficult to recognize because symptoms aren't specific and can mimic symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.

A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will collect an exhaustive medical history and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if the risk of developing the disease is greater.

Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is established, your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of this disease and accounts for about 80percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses each year. The other two types are peritoneal and a rare biphasic version of mesothelioma. It is composed of both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. The type of mesothelioma you have will help your doctor decide on the most appropriate treatment options for you. Based on your location and the type of mesothelioma, treatment can help increase the chances of survival.