Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of asbestos are naturally formed as bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant against fire, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They have a high tensile strength and wear strength. Asbestos is a component in many products, including floor tiles and insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabric.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile also known as white asbestos, was the most common form of the mineral used in a variety of products prior to its ban in the 1980s. It was this because it was affordable, durable, and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely dangerous and associated with mesothelioma as well as other illnesses. Certain countries continue to use asbestos but a global ban is needed.

Health care professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile. carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered to be safe. However despite this, businesses who mine and sell chrysotile say that the asbestos they mine is safer than earlier types of the mineral due to the fact that it is tightly packed and unfriable.

This type of asbestos is less dangerous than the amphibole asbestos types, but it is still dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile is the most frequently mined asbestos and the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases worldwide. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous material that appears like threads and feels supple to the touch. When examined with electron microscopy the fibers appear to be tubes. They are actually a combination structural layers of minerals that are formed into spirals.

Chrysotile has been shown to be the cause of many ailments which include pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other respiratory issues. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal issues. These diseases are more common for those who work with chrysotile because of their constant exposure to it. Asbestos chrysotile used to be widely employed in the construction industry and auto repair. It can be found in older homes and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is made up of six different kinds of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties, but all six are linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite. They also include amosite, anthophyllite and Tremolite.

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

Inhaling asbestos in any form is a risk. Inhaling any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other lung diseases. The exposure to asbestos is most often caused by breathing, but it can also be triggered through handling or working with asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly hazardous when the materials are brittle which means they break easily and can be airborne as dust particles.

Friability is determined by the fibers' thickness and their length. The longer and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate deep into the lungs, while thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do this.

The most popular method to expose workers to asbestos is through manipulating or removing it. This is because asbestos is an extremely fine material that can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed it can release tiny fibres into the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping can cause the fibres break apart, while vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

In contrast to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos has long straight chain-like fibres, which are brittle and more hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most well-known forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These types of asbestos are commonly found in natural deposits alongside the chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposits.

Asbestos is present in many products, including asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction material used in coatings, brakes for cars, and gaskets. The fibres are weaved into paper, fabric, thread, mastics, or bound by Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine which is the best application. The shorter fibres are used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, whereas the longer ones are used for asbestos cement pipes, sheets, and flooring.

Numerous studies have reported an association between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. The results of these studies differ, however the conclusions are limited due to the lack of research on this subject. In general the risk of developing stomach cancer increases when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effects are diminished when consideration of latency since first exposure is taken into account.

Other types of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the abdominal lining and chest). It has been observed that children who are exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reason isn't clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most well-known asbestos-related illness. It is result of long-term exposure to asbestos and is more serious than other types of asbestos-related illnesses. It can affect the lungs and, occasionally, other organs like the heart or stomach. It may also cause mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.

Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It can be found in many different products and was once widely used in construction, however, it has been withdrawn due to its negative effects.

Most people aren't sick from the low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those that get sick are typically exposed frequently to asbestos during a specific work and typically for a prolonged time. The most severe exposures tend to be in jobs like shipbuilding, mining as well as construction and insulation. In recent years, government regulations have helped limit the use of asbestos and it is now used in fewer buildings. Certain household items from the past like crayons and toys for asbestos children, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly recognised form of asbestos. Crocidolite and Amphibole are both forms of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres that become airborne and are inhaled. These fibres may get caught in the lungs when inhaled. The asbestos fibers can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This can result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma, mesothelioma or other diseases which can take years to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family background of asbestos settlement-related illnesses are other factors that increase your chance of developing.

Mesothelioma

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

The mesothelium is a lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lung linings and the abdomen. In some cases, it could be found on the tissues of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma owing to exposure at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It can be difficult to determine mesothelioma as the symptoms aren't specific and often resemble those of other diseases. Because of this, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, asbestos and patients might not receive the treatment they require.

A visit to your doctor is the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will conduct a complete medical history and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if your likelihood of developing the disease is greater.

After the mesothelioma diagnosis has been established, your doctor will determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from. Pleural mesothelioma, the most frequent type of this disease and accounts for about 80% of all mesothelioma diagnoses each year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic type of mesothelioma, which contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you according to the type of mesothelioma. Based on your location as well as the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment can help increase the chances of survival.