Types of Asbestos

All six types of asbestos occur naturally as bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant to fire, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products including floor tiles, insulation paint, as well as fabric that is heat-resistant.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in the year 1980, Chrysotile (also known as white asbestos) was the most frequently used form of the mineral. It was due to its being cheap, durable and fireproof. It was later discovered to be extremely harmful and connected to mesothelioma and other cancers. Certain countries still make use of asbestos but a global ban is required.

Health care professionals are continuing to warn that all types of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and no amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's health is better than the older forms of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and is non-friable.

This kind of asbestos is less dangerous than the amphibole asbestos types, but it is still hazardous for people to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular kind of asbestos mined and is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile, a gold-colored brownish mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous minerals. Under an electron microscope the fibres look more like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in spiral form.

Chrysotile is known to trigger numerous illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal issues. Those who work with chrysotile are especially susceptible to developing these ailments because they are frequently in contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was once extensively employed in the construction industry and auto repair. It can be found in older homes and vehicles.

Amosite

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

Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular asbestos type in the United States. It is still present in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of buildings and homes. It was also used in automobile brake linings, gaskets, boiler seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles as well as cement sheets and pipe insulation.

Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is hazardous. The exposure to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the primary 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 when materials are fragile. This means they are susceptible to crumbling easily and then become dust particles that can be blown into the air.

Friability is determined by the fibers' thickness and their length. The longer and longer fibres are 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 are handling or removing 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 swept away or vacuumed, it could release tiny fibres in the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping can cause fibres to break when vacuuming them, whereas sweeping causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), has long straight fibres which are soft and brittle. They are also more hazardous to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) as well as amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos. However, it can there are different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are commonly found in natural deposits, along with the chrysotile asbestos. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos is used in a variety of items including asbestos cement pipes and sheets, friction materials for car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are woven into fabric, paper, thread, mastics or bonded with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the best application. The shorter fibres can be used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, whereas longer fibres are used for asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

A variety of studies have suggested a link between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The results of these studies vary, however, and the conclusions are influenced by the relatively sparse literature on this topic. Generally speaking, the risk of cancer of the stomach appears to increase as a result of increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the effects are diminished when consideration of latency prior to the first exposure is considered.

Other forms of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the abdomen's lining as well as the chest). It has been reported that children exposed to asbestos are more at chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reasons for this are not clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is among the most prevalent cancers caused by asbestos. It is caused by long-term exposure to asbestos and is more severe than other forms of asbestos disease. It can affect the lungs and sometimes other organs, such as the stomach or heart. It may also cause mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.

Asbestos consists of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is found in a variety of different products and was once extensively used in construction but has now been banned due to its ill effects.

Most people are not affected by low levels of airborne asbestos. However, those who do become ill are usually exposed frequently to asbestos in a specific job and often for a prolonged time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have reduced asbestos' use and it is now present in fewer buildings. Certain household items from the past, such as crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos could cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized type of asbestos litigation. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed microscopic fibres release into the air and may be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres could become trapped in the lung. The asbestos fibres could cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This could result in mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestos claim other diseases that can take many years to develop. Smoking and having a family background of asbestos-related ailments are additional factors that increase your risk.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used in the production of insulation or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers are then taken in by swallowing or inhalation and cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is a lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances, it can also develop in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos-related victims are more likely to develop mesothelioma as consequence of exposure to asbestos at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It can be difficult to determine mesothelioma due to the fact that the symptoms are not specific and can be similar to those of other diseases. In the end, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with visiting your doctor. Your doctor will collect an exhaustive medical history and ask about your past asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your are at a higher risk for the disease.

Your doctor will determine which type of mesothelioma you have once mesothelioma is identified. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts to around 80% of mesothelioma diagnosis every year. The other two types are peritoneal and a rare biphasic type of mesothelioma. This type contains both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. The type of mesothelioma can aid your doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment options for you. Based on your location as well as the type of mesothelioma, treatment can help increase the chances of survival.