Types of Asbestos

All six types of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as bundles of thin long, tough fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire chemicals, electrical conductivity and chemical vapors. They have a high tensile strength and wear strength. Asbestos is used in many products, including floor tiles and insulation paint, as well as heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in the year 1980 Chrysotile (also called white asbestos lawsuit) was the most widely used form of the mineral. This was because it was inexpensive, durable and fireproof. It was discovered to be extremely harmful and Asbestos Lawsuit linked to mesothelioma and other cancers. Certain countries continue to use asbestos, however a global ban is needed.

Health care experts continue to warn that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure can be considered safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than earlier forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and non-friable.

While this form of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos, it's still dangerous to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular type of asbestos mined, and is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cancer cases across the world. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous rock. Under an electron microscope, the fibers look like tubes and are a result of structural layers of the mineral rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile has been found to be the cause of many ailments that include pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. Those who work with chrysotile are particularly at risk for developing these diseases since they are exposed to the mineral. Workers in construction and automobile repair are most likely to encounter Chrysotile asbestos as it was once very well-known. It can be found in older vehicles and homes.

Amosite

Asbest is comprised of six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has a different chemical composition and physical properties. However each of them is associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. These include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile, Crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite anthophyllite, and tremolite.

Chrysotile is the most common asbestos settlement-related type found in the United States. Many businesses and homes have it in their walls, roofs, and floors. It was also used as gaskets, thermal insulation and boiler seals in automobiles. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles or cement sheets as well as pipe insulation.

All types of asbestos can be dangerous if inhaled. Exposure to asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the primary route of exposure to asbestos. However, it can also occur while handling or working with the fibers. The risk of exposure is particularly high when the fibres are friable which means they can break easily and are able to be blown into the air as dust particles.

Friability is dependent on the fibers' thickness and their length. Thicker and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate into the lungs, whereas shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do so.

The most common exposure to asbestos is often when workers handle or remove it. This is due to asbestos being a very fine material and may be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is vacuumed or swept it may release tiny fibres into the air. This is because sweeping could cause fibres to break up, while vacuuming makes them stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

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

Asbestos is found in many products, asbestos law including asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction material used for coatings, brakes, and gaskets. The fibres are made into paper, fabric, thread, mastics or bonded by Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres determines the best application. The shorter fibres are commonly employed in electrical insulation, textiles and filters. The longer fibres are used in asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

Numerous studies have reported an association between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. The outcomes of these studies are varied however the conclusions are influenced by the limited literature on the subject. Generally, the risk for stomach cancer is believed to increase as a result of increasing exposure to asbestos. The risk is decreased when latency from the first exposure is taken into consideration.

Other types of asbestos have been linked in the development of mesothelioma, a malignant tumour that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest (Mesothelioma). It has been observed that children who are exposed to asbestos are more at chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reasons for this are unknown.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most frequent asbestos-related illness. It is caused by exposure to asbestos for a long time and is more dangerous than any other asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs and sometimes other organs like the stomach, heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma, an uncommon cancer that affects lungs lining.

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It was widely employed in construction and is present in a variety of products.

Most people aren't affected by the low levels of airborne asbestos. People who do get sick are usually exposed to asbestos regularly at a particular job and over a long period of time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have helped reduce the use of asbestos and it is now present in fewer structures. Some of the older household items, such as crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung diseases like mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile is the most well-known type of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and may be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers can become trapped deep within the lung. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma or other illnesses that may take a long time to develop. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking and having an ancestor with the condition.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used in the manufacturing of insulation or in the construction of homes it releases tiny asbestos fibers into air. These fibers are then consumed or swallowed, leading to serious health problems like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that is found in the lining of organs, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is most often affecting the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances, it may also develop on the tissue of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because the symptoms are not specific and can be similar to those 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 towards diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about your medical background and any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if the risk of developing the disease is greater.

Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma in your body after a mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most frequent type of this disease and accounts for approximately 80percent of mesothelioma compensation cases each year. The other two types are peritoneal and a rare biphasic form of mesothelioma that contains both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you according to the type of mesothelioma. Based on the location you live in and the type of mesothelioma, treatment can help increase your chances of survival.