Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as bundles of thin fibrous fibres that are durable. They are resistant to heat, fire chemicals, electrical conductivity and chemical vapors. They also have outstanding tensile strength and wear. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, including floor tiles and insulation, paint, and fabric that is heat-resistant.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in the year 1980 Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most frequently used form of the mineral. This was because it was affordable, durable and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely dangerous and asbestos Claim associated with mesothelioma, as well as other diseases. Certain countries still make use of asbestos, but a worldwide ban is required.

Health professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and that any amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim (www.healthndream.com) that chrysotile's safety is better than older forms of the mineral because it's a tightly packed and is not flammable.

Although this type of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos, it is still dangerous to handle. Chrysotile is among the most commonly mined asbestos and is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases worldwide. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that is soft and appears like threads is a fibrous minerals. Under an electron microscope, the fibers appear more like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in spiral form.

Chrysotile has been found to be a cause of a variety of illnesses which include pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. These conditions are more prevalent among those who work with chrysotile due to of their constant exposure to it. Those who work in construction or automobile repair are most likely to encounter chrysotile asbestos because it was once a well-known. It may be present in older homes and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used as asbestos. Each mineral has a distinct chemical composition and physical properties. However each of them is associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. These include amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile and the crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.

Chrysotile is the most popular asbestos type in the United States. It is still used in the roofs, walls and floors of many commercial and residential properties. It was also used for gaskets, thermal insulation and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.

Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is risky. Inhaling asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is often caused by inhalation, but it can also be triggered by working or handling asbestos fibres. Exposure is especially dangerous when the fibres are friable, which means they crumble easily and are able to be blown into the air as dust particles.

Friability is a function of length and thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate deeper into the lungs.

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

Crocidolite

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

Asbestos is used in a range of products including asbestos cement sheets and pipes and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be weaved into paper, fabric, mastics and thread or bound by Portland cement resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine which is the most suitable application. The shorter fibres are commonly used in electrical insulation, textiles and filters. The longer fibres are used in asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. These studies have produced varied results however, the conclusions are not conclusive because of the absence of literature. Generally, the risk for stomach cancer is believed to increase with the increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the risk is lessened when the latency since first exposure is considered.

Other forms of asbestos can be implicated in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the abdomen's lining as well as the chest). It has been observed that children exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma compared to adults. The reason for this is not known.

Lung cancer

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

Asbestos is comprised of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is found in a number of different products and was once widely used in construction however, it has been withdrawn due to its harmful effects.

Most people are not affected by the low levels of airborne asbestos. However, those that do develop illness are typically exposed regularly to asbestos while working in a particular job, and often for a prolonged time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government helped to limit the use and amount of asbestos in construction sites. Some of the older household items, such as crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung ailments such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Amphibole and Crocidolite are also types of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibers that become airborne and can be inhaled. These fibres may get caught in the lungs when inhaled. The asbestos fibers can cause scarring and inflammation of the lung. This could cause mesothelioma, lung cancer or other conditions that take many years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking cigarettes and having a family history of the disease.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for the production of insulation or in the construction of homes, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into air. The fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health conditions like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the organ's lining known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances it can also be found in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos sufferers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a consequence of exposure to asbestos at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is often difficult to identify mesothelioma since the symptoms aren't distinct and frequently resemble those of other diseases. This is why mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.

A mesothelioma diagnosis starts with a visit to your doctor. The doctor will inquire about your medical background, including any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you're an increased risk of contracting the disease.

Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma that you have after a mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common type of this disease, accounts for about 80% of mesothelioma diagnosis every year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic cancers that contain epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma can help your doctor determine the best treatment options for you. Treatment can improve your odds of surviving, depending on the type and location of your mesothelioma.