Types of Asbestos
All six types of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as bundles of fine and durable fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire, chemicals and electrical conductivity. They also have exceptional tensile strength and wear. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, including flooring tiles, insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.
Chrysotile
Before it was banned in 1980 Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most commonly used form of the mineral. It was due to its being affordable, durable, and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. Some countries still employ asbestos compensation, however a global prohibition is needed.
Health care professionals continue to warn of the fact that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is safer than earlier versions of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and is non-friable.
This type of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos types however, it is dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile is the most frequently mined asbestos, and it is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. 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 fibres appear like tubes. They are actually a combination of structural layers of minerals that are rolled into a spiral shape.
Chrysotile is known to cause numerous illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease. Those who work with chrysotile are particularly susceptible to developing these illnesses because they are in constant contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was previously extensively employed in the construction industry and auto repair. It may be present in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
Asbest is made from six different types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has a distinct chemical composition and properties. However they are all linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. These include amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile and crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite (white asbestos), tremolite anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile is one of the most commonly used type of asbestos in the United States. Numerous homes and businesses have it in their walls, roofs, and floors. It was also used for gaskets, thermal insulation, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile are shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.
All forms of asbestos pose dangers when inhaled. Inhaling any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other disorders of the pleura. Inhalation is by far the most common method of exposure to asbestos, however it is also possible to be exposed by handling or working with the asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means that they are prone to break down easily and turn into airborne dust particles.
Friability is a function length and the thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibres are more likely to penetrate into the lungs, whereas thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do so.
The most frequent method to expose workers to asbestos is by working with or removing it. This is due to asbestos being an extremely fine material that can be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it could release tiny fibres into air. This is because sweeping may cause fibres to break up when vacuuming them, whereas sweeping causes them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres, which are soft and brittle. They are also more harmful to inhale. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are commonly found in natural deposits, along with chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits and may be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposits.
Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products 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 with Portland Cement, Mesothelioma attorney resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres determine the best application. The shorter fibres are commonly employed in electrical insulation, textiles and filters; while the longer fibres are utilized in asbestos cement sheets, pipes and flooring.
A variety of studies have found a link between asbestos exposure and cancer of the stomach. These studies have varied results however, the conclusions are limited due to the lack of research. In general, the risk of stomach cancer is seen to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The effect is diminished when the time from the initial exposure is taken into consideration.
Other forms of asbestos can be implicated in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the abdomen’s lining and chest). It has been reported that children who are exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma compared to adults. The reason for this is not known.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most prevalent asbestos-related disease. It can be caused by exposure to asbestos and is more serious than other types of asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs, such as the stomach, the heart and bladder. It could also cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lung.
Asbestos is one of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It was widely employed in construction and is found in many different products.
Most people do not get ill from low levels of asbestos in the air. People who do get sick are often exposed to asbestos on a regular basis at a particular job and for a prolonged period of time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and mesothelioma attorney construction. In recent years, federal regulations have helped limit the use of asbestos, and it is now found 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 diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile is the most widely recognised form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and may be inhaled. When inhaled, the fibres can be trapped deep within the lung. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma or other conditions that take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking cigarettes and having a family history of the condition.
When asbestos is used for the production of insulation or in the construction of homes it releases tiny asbestos fibers into the air. Those fibers can then be taken in by swallowing or inhalation, leading to serious health conditions such as mesothelioma.
The mesothelium, the lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma tends to be found in the lung linings and the abdomen. In some instances, it may also affect the linings of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of exposure at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to the fact that the symptoms aren’t specific and can be similar to those of other diseases. Because of this, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.
A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history including any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you are at an increased risk of contracting disease.
Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is established, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma that you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of this disease, accounting for around 80% of all mesothelioma diagnosis each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic cancers that contain epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment for you in light of the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can improve your odds of surviving, depending on the nature and location of your mesothelioma.