Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as a bundle of thin fibrous fibres that are durable. They are resistant against fire, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They have a very high tensile as well as wear strength. Asbestos can be found in a wide range of products like flooring tiles, insulation paint and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in the year 1980 Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most frequently used form of the mineral. It was due to its being affordable, durable, and fireproof. It was discovered to be extremely harmful and connected to cancers like mesothelioma. While some countries still use asbestos, a global ban is now needed.

Health professionals continue to warn 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 that chrysotile is safer than earlier forms of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and is not flammable.

This kind of asbestos is less hazardous than the amphibole types of asbestos however, it is hazardous for workers to work with. Chrysotile asbestos is the most common type of asbestos mined, and is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cancer cases around the world. Chrysotile is a brownish-golden substance that is soft and appears like threads, is a fibrous mineral. Under an electron microscope, the fibers look like tubes and are a combination of structural layers of the mineral rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile has been shown to be the cause of many illnesses which include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer, and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. These conditions are more prevalent among those who work with chrysotile as a result of their constant exposure to it. Asbestos chrysotile was once extensively used in auto and construction repair. It could be found in older homes and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six kinds of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used to make asbestos lawyer. Each mineral has its particular chemical composition and characteristics and all six are associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. These include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile and Crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, Tremolite anthophyllite and tremolite.

Chrysotile is the most popular type of asbestos in the United States. It can still be found in the roofs, walls and floors of many commercial and residential properties. It is also used in brake gaskets, linings for boilers, gaskets and seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles or cement sheets as well as pipe insulation.

Inhaling any form of asbestos is a risk. Any exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases. Inhalation is the most common way to be exposed to asbestos, however it can also happen when working or asbestos claim handling the fibers. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means they are susceptible to crumbling easily and then become airborne dust particles.

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

The most common method to expose workers to asbestos is by working with or removing it. Asbestos is a fine, crystallized substance 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 a sweeping action could cause the fibres to break up when vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Unlike 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 commonly used forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These asbestos types are found in natural deposits that contain chrysotile. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite and mixed with chrysotile to form a deposit.

Asbestos is used in a variety of items including asbestos cement pipe and sheets as well as friction materials for car brakes, gaskets, and coatings. The fibres are woven into paper, fabric, mastics, thread, or bound by Portland cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the most appropriate application. The shorter fibres can be used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, while the longer ones are utilized for asbestos sheets, cement pipes, and flooring.

A number of studies have found a link between asbestos exposure and cancer of the stomach. These studies have produced varied results however the conclusions are limited because of the absence of research. In general, the risk of stomach cancer is likely to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effect is diminished when consideration of latency prior to the first exposure is taken into consideration.

Other forms of asbestos have been linked in the formation of mesothelioma which is a malignant tumor that affects the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). Children who have been exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reason for this is not known.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most frequent asbestos-related illness. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and is generally more severe than other forms of asbestos-related diseases. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs like the heart, stomach and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It can be found in a variety of different products and was once widely used in construction, but has now been banned because of its negative effects.

The majority of people don't get sick from a low amount of asbestos in the air. However, those who do develop illness are typically exposed on a regular basis to asbestos during a specific job, and often for a prolonged period of time. The most frequent jobs that require asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, government regulations helped to limit the use and prevalence of asbestos in buildings. Some household products from the past, such as crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.

All types of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most widely recognised form of asbestos lawsuit. Amphibole and Crocidolite are also kinds of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibres are released into the air and could be inhaled. These fibres could get trapped in the lungs when inhaled. The asbestos fibers can cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This can result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma and other conditions that can take years to develop. Smoking and having a family background of asbestos-related diseases are also factors that increase your risk of developing.

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 can be breathed in, or swallowed and cause serious health conditions like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is the lining that protects organs. Mesothelioma typically affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In certain cases it can also occur in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos-related victims are more likely to develop mesothelioma as result of exposure at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to detect because symptoms aren't precise and can mimic symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.

A visit to your doctor is the first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about your medical background including any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if the risk of developing the disease is higher.

Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is established, your doctor will determine the type of mesothelioma you have. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common form of this disease, and accounts for around 80percent of mesothelioma diagnoses each year. The other two types are peritoneal and a rare biphasic form of mesothelioma, which contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells. The type of mesothelioma you have will help your doctor decide on the most appropriate treatment options for you. Treatment can increase your chances of surviving depending on the nature and the location of your mesothelioma.