The Dangers of Exposure to Asbestos

Asbestos was a component in thousands of commercial products prior to when it was banned. Research shows that exposure to asbestos Attorney can cause cancer as well as other health issues.

It is not possible to tell by simply looking at something if it is made of asbestos. Neither can you smell or taste it. It is only discovered when the asbestos-containing materials are chipped, drilled or broken.

Chrysotile

At its peak, chrysotile made the majority of the asbestos produced. It was used in many industries, including construction insulation, fireproofing, and insulation. Unfortunately, if workers were exposed to the toxic substance, they could develop mesothelioma or other asbestos related diseases. Since the 1960s, when mesothelioma was first becoming a problem asbestos use has decreased significantly. It is still found in many products we use today.

Chrysotile is safe to use if you have a comprehensive safety and handling program in place. It has been determined that at the current controlled exposure levels, there isn't an danger to those who handle the substance. The inhalation of airborne particles has been strongly associated with lung cancer and lung fibrosis. This has been proven to be true for both intensity (dose) and duration of exposure.

In one study, mortality rates were compared between a manufacturing facility that primarily used chlorosotile to make friction materials and the national death rate. The study found that, after 40 years of processing low levels of chrysotile, there was no significant rise in mortality rates at this facility.

Contrary to other types of asbestos, chrysotile fibers tend to be shorter. They can enter the lungs, and even enter the bloodstream. This makes them more prone to cause negative consequences than longer fibres.

When chrysotile is mixed with cement, it is extremely difficult for the fibres to breathe and pose any health risks. Fibre cement products are extensively used in various parts of the world, including schools and hospitals.

Studies have shown that chrysotile is less prone to cause disease than amphibole asbestos like amosite and crocidolite. Amphibole asbestos types have been the primary source of mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases. When cement and chrysotile are mixed with cement, a tough, flexible product is created that is able to stand up to extreme environmental hazards and weather conditions. It is also very easy to clean up after use. Asbestos fibres can easily be removed by a professional and then safely taken away.

Amosite

Asbestos is a grouping of fibrous silicates that are found in certain types rock formations. It is classified into six groups that include amphibole (serpentine), tremolite (tremolite), anthophyllite (crocidolite) and anthophyllite.

Asbestos minerals consist of long, thin fibres that range in length, ranging from very thin to broad and straight to curled. They are present in nature as individual fibrils or as bundles that have splaying ends, referred to as a fibril matrix. Asbestos minerals can also be found as a powder (talc) or mixed with other minerals and sold as vermiculite and talcum powder that are widely used in consumer products such as baby powder cosmetics, face powder and baby powder.

The heaviest use of asbestos was in the first two-thirds of 20th century when it was utilized in insulation, shipbuilding, fireproofing, and other construction materials. Most occupational exposures were asbestos fibres that were borne in the air, but certain workers were exposed to toxic talc or vermiculite, and to fragments of asbestos-bearing rocks (ATSDR, 2001). Exposures varied from industry to industry, era to, and geographical location.

Exposure to asbestos case in the workplace is mostly due to inhalation. However there are workers who have been exposed through skin contact or through eating foods contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos is currently only found in the the natural weathering of mined minerals and the deterioration of products contaminated with asbestos like insulation, car brakes and clutches as well as ceiling and floor tiles.

There is evidence to suggest that non-commercial amphibole fibres may also be carcinogenic. These fibers aren't weaved like the fibrils that are found in amphibole and serpentine, but are instead loose as well as flexible and needle-like. These fibres are found in the cliffs and mountains in a variety of countries.

Asbestos can be absorbed into the environment in many ways, including in the form of airborne particles. It can also be absorbed into water or soil. This occurs both from natural (weathering and erosion of asbestos-bearing rocks) and anthropogenic (disintegration and disposal of asbestos-containing materials in landfill sites) sources. Asbestos contamination of ground and surface water is mostly a result of natural weathering, but has also been caused by human activities such as milling and mining, demolition and dispersal of asbestos-containing materials and the disposal of contaminated dumping soil in landfills (ATSDR, 2001). Inhalation exposure to asbestos fibers is the primary cause of illness among people who are exposed to asbestos on a daily basis.

Crocidolite

Exposure to asbestos through inhalation is the most common way people are exposed to harmful fibres. They can be absorbed into the lungs and cause serious health issues. This includes asbestosis and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos fibres can occur in other ways as well, such as contact with contaminated clothing or construction materials. The dangers of exposure are higher when crocidolite, the asbestos' blue form, is involved. Crocidolite fibers are softer and less brittle which makes them more difficult to breathe. They can also lodge deeper within lung tissue. It has been linked to more mesothelioma-related cases than other asbestos types.

The main kinds are chrysotile and amosite. Chrysotile and amosite are among the most frequently used types of asbestos, and comprise 95% of commercial asbestos that is used. The other four types of asbestos haven't been as widely used, but they may still be present in older buildings. They are less harmful than amosite and chrysotile, but they may pose a danger when combined with other asbestos minerals or when mined in close proximity to other naturally occurring mineral deposits, like talc or vermiculite.

Several studies have found an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The evidence is not conclusive. Some researchers have cited an SMR (standardized mortality ratio) of 1.5 (95 percent of the time CI: 0.7-3.6) for all workers exposed to asbestos while other studies have reported an SMR of 1.24 (95% of the CI = 0.76-2.5) for workers working in chrysotile mining and mills.

IARC The IARC, also known as the International Agency for Research on Cancer, has classified all kinds of asbestos carcinogenic. All forms of asbestos could cause mesothelioma or other health issues, however the risks vary according to how much exposure individuals are exposed to, the type of asbestos involved, the duration of their exposure and the manner in which it is inhaled or consumed. IARC has declared that the best choice for individuals is to stay clear of all forms of asbestos. If you have been exposed in the past to asbestos and suffer from a respiratory illness or mesothelioma, you should talk to your doctor or NHS111.

Amphibole

Amphibole belongs to a group of minerals that form long prism or needlelike crystals. They are a kind of inosilicate mineral made up of two chains of molecules of SiO4. They are a monoclinic system of crystals, however some have an orthorhombic shape. The general formula of an amphibole is A0-1B2C5T8O22(OH,F)2. The double chains are composed of (Si, Al)O4 tetrahedrons linked together by tetrahedron rings made of six. The tetrahedrons are separated by octahedral strips.

Amphibole minerals are common in metamorphic and igneous rocks. They are typically dark and hard. They are sometimes difficult to differentiate from pyroxenes because they have similar hardness and colors. They also share a corresponding design of cleavage. However their chemistry permits many different compositions. The various mineral groups within amphibole are identified by their chemical compositions and crystal structures.

Amphibole asbestos includes chrysotile and the five asbestos types amosite anthophyllite (crocidolite), amosite (actinolite), and amosite. While the most commonly used form of asbestos is chrysotile each type has its own distinct characteristics. The most dangerous type of asbestos, crocidolite is made up of sharp fibers that are easy to breathe into the lungs. Anthophyllite is a brownish to yellowish hue and is made mostly of iron and magnesium. This type of stone was once used in products like cement and insulation materials.

Amphiboles can be difficult to study due to their complex chemical structure and the numerous substitutions. A thorough analysis of composition of amphibole mineral requires specialized methods. EDS, WDS and XRD are the most popular methods of identifying amphiboles. However, these methods only give approximate identifications. For instance, these techniques cannot differentiate between magnesio hornblende and hastingsite. In addition, these techniques can not distinguish between ferro-hornblende as well as pargasite.