Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of asbestos are naturally formed as bundles of thin and durable fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat chemical and electrical conductivity. They have a very high tensile as well as wear strength. Asbestos is used in many products such as floor tiles, insulation paint, as well as heat-resistant fabric.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in the year 1980 Chrysotile (also known as white asbestos) was the most widely used form of the mineral. This was because it was inexpensive, asbestos claim durable and fireproof. It was later discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to diseases like mesothelioma. While some countries still use asbestos, a global ban is now needed.

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

This type of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos types however it is hazardous for workers to work with. Chrysotile, the most widely mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads, is a fibrous mineral. Under an electron microscopy, the fibres appear more like tubes. They are actually a mixture of structural layers of minerals which are rolled into spiral forms.

Chrysotile has been shown to cause a variety of ailments that include pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. Those who work with chrysotile are especially susceptible to developing these diseases since they are exposed to the mineral. Those who work in construction and repair of vehicles are the most likely to come across Chrysotile asbestos as it was once very popular. It is often found in older vehicles and homes.

Amosite

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

Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known asbestos type in the United States. It can still be found in the roofs, walls and floors of a variety of homes and businesses. It was also used as gaskets, thermal insulation and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.

All forms of asbestos pose dangers when inhaled. Exposure to any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases. The exposure to asbestos is most typically caused by inhalation but it is also caused by working or handling fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means they can crumble easily, and become airborne dust particles.

Friability is correlated with the fibrillar thickness and their length. Thicker and longer fibers are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate into the lungs.

The most common method to expose workers to asbestos is by manipulating or removing it. Asbestos is a fine crystallized material that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is vacuumed or swept it can release tiny fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping process can cause the fibres to break up when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Contrary to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibers that are brittle and more hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos, but there are different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are commonly found in natural deposits as well as chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos in the deposits.

Asbestos is utilized in a myriad of products including asbestos cement pipe and sheets as well as friction materials for car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are weaved into fabric, paper, thread, mastics or bonded by Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the best application. The shortest fibres are generally used in textiles, electrical insulation and filters; while the longer fibres are used in asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. These studies have produced varied results however the conclusions are skewed due to the absence of literature. Generally, the risk for stomach cancer is believed to increase with increasing exposure to asbestos. The risk is decreased when latency from the first exposure is taken into consideration.

Other forms of asbestos have been implicated in the formation of mesothelioma which is a malignant tumor that affects the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). It has been discovered that children exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reason isn't clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one the most frequent ailments caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a long period of time and is more severe than any other asbestos disease. It can affect the lungs, and occasionally other organs such as the stomach or the heart. It could also cause mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It can be found in a variety of different products. It was previously widely used in construction but has since been banned due to its harmful effects.

Most people are not affected by low levels of airborne asbestos. People who do get sick are usually exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific job, and over a long period of time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, government regulations have helped limit asbestos' use and it is now found in fewer buildings. However, it is still present in older household products such as crayons and toys for kids.

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

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibers that become airborne and are inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers can become trapped deep within the lung. The asbestos fibres may cause scarring and inflammation of the lung. This can result in lung carcinoma, mesothelioma, or other diseases that may take years to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family history of asbestos-related ailments are additional factors that increase the risk.

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 are later taken in by swallowing or inhalation and cause serious health issues like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium, the lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some cases 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 due to exposure at work. Mesothelioma can also affect the family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma may be difficult to recognize because symptoms aren't specific and can mimic symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.

A visit to your doctor is the first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma. The doctor will take an entire medical history and ask about your past asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if your risk of developing the disease is greater.

Your doctor will determine the kind of mesothelioma you suffer from once mesothelioma is identified. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts for approximately 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma, which has epithelioid aswell as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on the type of mesothelioma. Treatment may increase your chance of surviving depending on the nature and location of your mesothelioma.