Types of Asbestos

All six types of asbestos are found naturally in strings of pliable and durable fibres. They are resistant against chemical, heat, fire and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength. Asbestos has been used in a variety of products including floor tiles, insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile, known as white asbestos was the most popular type of mineral used in a myriad of products prior to its ban in the 1980s. This was due to the fact that it was inexpensive, durable and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely harmful and associated with mesothelioma, as well as other diseases. While some countries continue to use asbestos, a total global ban is required now.

Health professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile is carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. However despite this, the companies that extract and sell chrysotile have claimed that the asbestos they create is more safe than older forms of the mineral since it is tightly packed and non-friable.

Although this type of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos, it is still a risk to handle. Chrysotile is among the most commonly mined Asbestos Attorney and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous material that appears like threads and is soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibres look more like tubes and are a combination of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile has been shown to cause a variety of diseases such as pleural mesothelioma lung cancer, and other respiratory problems. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. These diseases are more common in those who work with chrysotile due to of their long-term exposure to it. Asbestos chrysotile was previously extensively used in auto and construction repair. It may be present in older homes and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is comprised of six different types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has a different chemical composition and physical properties. However each of them is linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile, crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most common form of asbestos in the United States. It is still present in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of businesses and homes. It was also used as gaskets, thermal insulation, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.

Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is a risk. Inhaling any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other conditions of the pleura. The exposure to asbestos is most often caused by breathing, but can also be caused through handling or working with fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly dangerous if materials are friable. This means that they can crumble easily, and then become dust particles that are airborne.

Friability is correlated with the fibers' thickness and their length. Thicker and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs, whereas thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do so.

Exposure to asbestos occurs 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 can release tiny fibres into the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping can cause the fibres break apart when vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Contrary to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos is composed of long, straight chain-like fibres that are more brittle and dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos. However, they it can also be found in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are commonly found in natural deposits alongside the chrysotile asbestos. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite and combined with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos is used in a variety of products including asbestos cement sheets and pipes and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets, and coatings. The fibres are weaved into fabric, paper, mastics, thread, or bonded by Portland Asbestos Attorney cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the best application. The shorter fibres are usually employed in textiles, electrical insulation and filters, whereas the longer fibres are used in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, and flooring.

Numerous studies have revealed an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. These studies yield varied results, but the conclusions are limited due to the lack of evidence. In general the risk of developing stomach cancer increases when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The risk is decreased when the time period from the initial exposure is considered.

Other forms of asbestos have been linked in the formation of mesothelioma, a malignant tumor that affects the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). It has been reported that children exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma than adults. The reasons for this are not clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common asbestos-related disease. It can be result of long-term exposure to asbestos and is generally more severe than other forms of asbestos-related disease. It can affect the lungs and occasionally other organs such as the heart or stomach. It could also cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It was extensively used in construction and is found in a variety of different products.

The majority of people are not affected by the low levels of airborne asbestos. However, those who do become ill are usually exposed regularly to asbestos in a particular job, and usually for a longer period of time. The most severe exposures tend to be those in positions such as shipbuilding, mining construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have helped to limit asbestos' use and it is now used in fewer structures. Some of the older household items like crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly recognised form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres that become airborne and can be inhaled. Inhaling these fibres, they can become trapped deep within the lungs. The asbestos fibres could cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This can lead to lung carcinoma mesothelioma and other illnesses that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chances of developing an asbestos litigation-related disease include smoking cigarettes and having a family history of the condition.

Mesothelioma

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

The mesothelium is the lining which covers organs. Mesothelioma typically affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some cases, it could also affect the tissue of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos patients are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is often difficult to identify mesothelioma because the symptoms aren't specific and can be similar to those of other diseases. Mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they require.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma starts with an appointment with your doctor. The doctor will take an entire medical history and ask about your prior asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if your likelihood of developing the disease is higher.

Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will determine which type of mesothelioma is present. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent form of this disease and accounts for approximately 80percent of all mesothelioma-related diagnoses every year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma, which has epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma you have will help your doctor decide on the most appropriate treatment options for you. Treatment can improve your odds of surviving, depending on the nature and the location of mesothelioma.