Types of Asbestos

All six types of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as bundles of thin and durable fibres. They are resistant against heat, chemicals, fire and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength. Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products like floor asbestos claim tiles, insulation, paints, and heat-resistant materials.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile also known as white asbestos was the most widely used type of mineral used in a variety of products before it was banned in the 1980s. It was due to its being affordable, durable and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely risky and was linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. Certain countries continue to use asbestos, but a worldwide prohibition is needed.

Health professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all 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 health is better than older forms of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and non-friable.

This kind of asbestos is less hazardous than the amphibole types of asbestos however it is hazardous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly used type of asbestos mined. It is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile which is a brownish golden mineral that is soft and appears like threads is a fibrous minerals. Under an electron microscope, the fibres look more like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in spiral form.

Chrysotile has been proven to cause a range of ailments that include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and other respiratory problems. It has also been linked to digestive problems and cardiovascular disease. People who work with chrysotile are particularly susceptible to developing these diseases because they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was once extensively used in construction and auto repair. It is often found in older buildings and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six types of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were used as asbestos. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties. However each of them is associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile and Crocidolite (white asbestos), amosite, tremolite anthophyllite, tremolite, and anthophyllite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular asbestos type in the United States. It is still found today in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of commercial and residential properties. It was also used for gaskets, thermal insulation, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles, cement sheets, and pipe insulation.

Inhaling any form of asbestos is a risk. Any exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma and other disorders of the pleura. Inhalation is the most frequent route of exposure to asbestos, but it can also occur while handling or working with the fibers. The exposure to asbestos is especially dangerous if materials are friable. This means that they are prone to break down easily and become airborne dust particles.

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

The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers work with or remove it. This is due to asbestos being a very fine substance and can 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 due to the fact that sweeping can cause fibres to break and vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos is different from serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres which are brittle. They are also more harmful to inhale. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite, and crocidolite are the most popular forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are usually found in natural deposits, along with chrysotile asbestos. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile to form a deposit.

Asbestos is used in a myriad of products including asbestos cement sheets and pipes as well as friction materials for car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be weaved into paper, fabric, mastics and threads or tied by Portland cement resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine which is the best application. The shorter fibres can be utilized for electrical insulation, filters, and flooring, while the longer ones are used for asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that asbestos lawsuit exposure is linked to and stomach cancer. The results of these studies vary however the conclusions are limited by the relatively sparse literature on this subject. In general, the risk of cancer of the stomach appears to increase with increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the effect is lessened when the latency in the time since first exposure is taken into account.

Other forms of asbestos can be implicated in the development mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest). It has been found that children who are exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than adults. The reason for this is not known.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most well-known asbestos-related disease. It is caused by exposure to asbestos for a long time and is more severe than any other asbestos disease. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs, such as the heart, stomach and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma which is a rare cancer that affects lung lining.

Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It can be found in a number of different products and was once widely used in construction but is now banned due to its harmful 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 usually exposed to asbestos on a regular basis in a specific job, and for a long period of time. The most extensive exposures tends to be in jobs such as shipbuilding, mining construction, and insulation. In recent years, federal regulations have reduced the use and prevalence of asbestos in buildings. It is still present in older household products like crayons for children and toys.

All forms of asbestos legal could cause lung diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibers that are then airborne and inhaled. These fibres can get trapped in the lungs after inhalation. The asbestos fibres can then cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other diseases that can take years to develop. Smoking and having a family history of asbestos-related illnesses are other factors which increase your chance of developing.

Mesothelioma

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

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that occurs in the lining of organs called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma typically affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances it may also manifest in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma due to exposure at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may be difficult to identify because the symptoms aren't always specific and often resemble those of other diseases. As a result, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.

A visit to your doctor is the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will take your medical history in detail and inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your chance of developing the disease is higher.

Your doctor will determine the type of mesothelioma that you have when a mesothelioma diagnosis is made. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease, accounts for around 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic cancers that contain epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma that you are diagnosed with will aid your doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment options for you. Based on your location and the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from, treatment may improve the chances of survival.