Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of asbestos are found naturally in bundles of thin and durable fibres. They are able to withstand flames, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength. Asbestos is utilized in a wide range of products such as flooring tiles, insulation paints, and heat-resistant materials.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile also known as white asbestos was the most popular form of the mineral used in a variety of products prior to its ban in the 1980s. It was utilized because it was fireproof, cheap and durable. However, it was found to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. While some countries continue to use asbestos, a worldwide ban is needed now.

Health 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 the older forms of the mineral because it is tightly packed and non-friable.

This type of asbestos is less dangerous than the amphibole types of asbestos however it is dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly used kind of asbestos mined and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases around the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous material that appears like threads and feels soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibers appear like tubes and are a combination of structural layers of the mineral that have been rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile has been proven to cause a variety of diseases such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer and other respiratory issues. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular disease. These diseases are more common in those who work with chrysotile due to of their frequent exposure to it. Those who work in construction or automobile repair are most likely to encounter Chrysotile asbestos as it was once extremely popular. It can be found in older houses and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six kinds of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties, but all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. They include amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile and crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite (white asbestos), tremolite anthophyllite, and tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used asbestos type in the United States. Many businesses and homes have it on their walls, roofs, and floors. It is also used in the manufacture of automobile brake gaskets, linings of boilers, seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.

Inhaling asbestos in any form is a risk. Inhaling asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural disease and mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos is most typically caused by inhalation however, it can also be caused through the handling or work with fibres. Exposure is especially dangerous when the fibres are friable which means they can break easily and can be airborne as dust particles.

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

The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers remove or handle it. Asbestos is a fine, crystallized substance that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it may release tiny fibres in the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping could cause the fibres to break up, while vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Contrary to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole has long, straight chain-like fibres that are more fragile and hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite, amosite and tremolite are the most commonly used forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite and actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are typically found in natural deposits as well as the chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that the other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits and may be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos found in the deposit.

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

A number of studies have revealed a connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The results of these studies are varied however, the conclusions are skewed because of the absence of research. In general the risk of stomach cancer appears to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the impact is lessened when the latency prior to the first exposure is taken into consideration.

Other forms of asbestos can be implicated in the development mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the abdomen's lining and chest). Children who are exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons behind this are unknown.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common asbestos-related illness. It can be caused by long-term exposure to asbestos and is more serious than other types of asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs like the heart, stomach and bladder. It may also cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.

Asbestos belongs to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It was widely employed in the construction industry and is present in a variety of products.

The majority of people don't get ill from low levels of asbestos in the air. People who do develop illness are usually exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific occupation and over a long period of time. The most severe exposures tend to be in jobs such as mining, shipbuilding as well as construction and insulation. In recent years, federal regulations have reduced the use and amount of asbestos in construction sites. It is still in some older household products like children's toys and crayons.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis among other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known form of asbestos. Amphibole and Crocidolite are also forms of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibers that become airborne and can be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped in the lungs when inhaled. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma or other conditions that take many years to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family history of asbestos-related ailments are additional factors which increase your risk.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos settlement is used in the production of insulation or in the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. These fibers may be inhaled or swallowed and can trigger serious health conditions like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lining of organs called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is typically found in the lung lining and abdomen. In certain cases it can also be found in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos patients are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma also can affect family members of asbestos workers. It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to the fact that the symptoms aren't distinct and often resemble those of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they need.

A mesothelioma diagnosis begins with visiting your doctor. The doctor will take a complete medical history and ask about your prior asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your risk of developing the disease is greater.

After the mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed by your doctor, they will determine what kind of mesothelioma is present. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this disease, and accounts for around 80% of all mesothelioma cases each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma, which has epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma can help your doctor decide on the most appropriate treatment options for you. Based on the location you live in and the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment may increase the chances of survival.