Types of Asbestos

All six types of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as bundles of fine and durable fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat chemical and electrical conductivity. They have a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos is used in a variety of products including floor tiles, insulation paint, as well as heat-resistant fabric.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile also known as white asbestos case was the most popular type of mineral used in a variety of products before it was banned in the 1980s. This was because it was cheap, durable and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely harmful and associated with mesothelioma as well as other illnesses. Some countries still employ asbestos, however a global ban is required.

Health care professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile is carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. However despite this, companies who mine and sell chrysotile assert that the asbestos they produce is more safe than older forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and non-friable.

This kind of asbestos is less hazardous than the amphibole types of asbestos, but it is still hazardous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most common type of asbestos mined, and is the main cause of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous mineral that looks like threads and feels soft to the touch. Under an electron microscopy, the fibers appear to be tubes. They are actually composed of structural layers of minerals rolled into spiral form.

Chrysotile has been found to be the cause of many ailments, including pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other respiratory problems. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. These illnesses are more prevalent for those who work with chrysotile due to of their constant exposure to it. Asbestos chrysotile was once widely used in construction and auto repair. It could be found in older houses and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six types 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 a higher risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite. They also include amosite and anthophyllite as well as tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used asbestos type in the United States. Many homes and businesses still have it in their walls, roofs and floors. It was also used for thermal insulation, gaskets, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.

All types of asbestos are harmful if inhaled. The exposure to any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other conditions of the pleura. Exposure to asbestos is most often caused by inhalation, however, it can also be caused by working or handling asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly hazardous when the materials are brittle, which means they crumble easily and are able to be blown into the air as dust particles.

Friability is a function length and the thickness of the fibers. Thicker and longer fibres will be more likely to penetrate deep into the lungs, while shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do this.

The most common method to expose workers to asbestos is through working with or removing it. Asbestos is an extremely fine, crystallized material that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is vacuumed or swept it may release tiny fibres into the air. This is because sweeping may cause fibres to break up while vacuuming causes them stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), has long straight fibres, which are brittle. They are also more hazardous to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) as well as amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos. However, they it is also found in other forms like anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos are usually found in natural deposits along with chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are also contaminants in crocidolite deposits and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposit.

Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, such as asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction material used in coatings, brakes, and gaskets. The fibres are woven into fabric, paper, thread, mastics or bound with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determines the best application. The shorter fibres are used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, while the longer ones are used for asbestos sheets, pipes, and flooring.

A number of studies have revealed a connection between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. The results of these studies differ, however, and the conclusions are limited by the relatively sparse literature on this subject. In general the risk of developing stomach cancer increases as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effect is lessened when the latency from the first exposure is taken into account.

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

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one the most prevalent illnesses caused by asbestos. It can be caused by exposure to long-term asbestos and is generally more serious than other types of asbestos disease. It affects the lungs and sometimes other organs like the stomach, the heart and bladder. It can also cause 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 can be present in a variety of different products and was extensively used in construction however, it has been withdrawn due to its negative effects.

The majority of people don't get sick from the low levels of asbestos in the air. The people who do fall ill are often exposed to asbestos compensation regularly at a particular job and for a prolonged period of time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, federal regulations helped to limit the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. Some household products from the past, such as crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most widely recognised form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing material is disturbed microscopic fibres release into the air and could be inhaled. These fibres can get trapped inside the lungs if inhaled. The asbestos fibres may cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other diseases that can take many years to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family history of asbestos-related ailments are additional factors which increase your risk of developing.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for insulation or in the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. Those fibers can then be consumed or swallowed and can cause serious health issues like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is the lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma is typically found in the linings of the lungs and abdomen. In some instances, it may also affect the tissues of the heart, or testicles.

Asbestos Law workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of exposure at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to the fact that the symptoms aren't distinct and asbestos law can be similar to those of other diseases. Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they need.

A mesothelioma diagnosis starts with a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will inquire about your medical background and any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your risk of developing the disease is greater.

When the mesothelioma diagnose is made, your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma that you have. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent form of this disease and accounts for approximately 80percent of mesothelioma diagnoses 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 decide the best course of action for you in light of the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can increase your chances of survival, based on the nature and location of mesothelioma.