Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of asbestos naturally form bundles of durable and thin fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire as well as chemical and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength. Asbestos is a component in many products such as floor tiles, insulation paint, as well as heat-resistant fabric.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos was the most commonly used type of mineral used in a variety of products before it was banned in the 1980s. It was popular because it was affordable, fireproof and durable. It was later discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to diseases like mesothelioma. While some countries continue to use asbestos, a global ban is now needed.

Health professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and that any amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is safer than older versions of the mineral because it's a tightly packed and is not flammable.

Although this kind of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos, it is still extremely dangerous to handle. Chrysotile is among the most commonly mined asbestos and the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile, a gold-colored brownish mineral that is soft and appears like threads, is a fibrous mineral. Under an electron microscope the fibres look more like tubes and are a result of structural layers of the mineral that have been rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile has been shown to cause a variety of diseases which include pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other respiratory issues. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. People who work with chrysotile, are particularly at risk for developing these ailments because they are frequently in contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile used to be widely used in auto and construction repair. It is found in old homes and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that were used as asbestos. Each mineral has a different chemical composition and properties. However, all six are associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. These include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile, the crocidolite (white asbestos), amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular form of asbestos 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, boiler seals and thermal insulation. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.

All forms of asbestos case are dangerous if inhaled. Any exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other conditions of the pleura. Inhalation is the most frequent route of exposure to asbestos. However, it can also occur when working with or handling asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly risky if the material is friable. This means that they can crumble easily, and eventually, they can become dust particles in the air.

Friability is a function length and the thickness of the fibers. The longer and more dense fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate into the lungs.

The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers work with or remove it. Asbestos is a fine crystalline material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed it can release small fibres in the air. This is because a sweeping motion could cause the fibres to break apart when vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres, which are tough and brittle. They are also more harmful to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos. However, it can there are other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types can be found in natural deposits that contain the chrysotile. It is believed that the other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits, and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposit.

Asbestos is found in a variety of products, such as asbestos cement pipe, sheets, friction materials used in car brakes, coatings, and gaskets. The fibres can be woven into papers, fabrics, mastics and thread or bound by Portland cement resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine which is the most suitable application. The shorter fibres can be utilized for electrical insulation, filters, and flooring, while the longer ones are utilized for asbestos cement pipes, sheets, and flooring.

A number of studies have found a link between asbestos exposure and cancer of the stomach. The results of these studies differ however, and asbestos claim the conclusions are limited due to the lack of research on this subject. The risk of developing cancer of the stomach appears to increase with increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the effects are reduced when the time since first exposure is taken into account.

Other forms of asbestos lawyer have been implicated in the formation of mesothelioma which is a malignant tumor that affects the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). It has been observed that children exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than adults. The reasons behind this are not understood.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most prevalent asbestos-related disease. It is caused by long-term exposure to asbestos and is more serious than other types of asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs and sometimes other organs such as the stomach, the heart and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos is composed of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It was extensively employed in the construction industry and is present in a variety of products.

The majority of people don't get sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. However, those who do get sick are usually exposed frequently to asbestos in a particular job, and usually for a longer period of time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, government regulations helped to limit the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. Some of the older household items like crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized form of asbestos. Crocidolite and Amphibole are both types of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibres are released into the air and could be inhaled. These fibres could get trapped in the lungs after inhalation. The asbestos fibres could cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This could lead to lung carcinoma, mesothelioma, or other diseases that may take years to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family background of asbestos-related illnesses are other factors which increase your risk.

Mesothelioma

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

Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that is found in the organ's lining called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can be found in the lung linings and the abdomen. In some cases it can be found on the linings of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos-related victims are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a consequence of exposure to asbestos at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because symptoms aren't specific and can mimic symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and patients may not receive the treatment they need.

A visit to your doctor is the first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will conduct your medical history in detail and inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you are at a higher risk for the disease.

Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is established, your doctor will determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts for about 80% of mesothelioma-related diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma that you are diagnosed with will aid your doctor in determining the best treatment options for you. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from, treatment may improve your chances of surviving.