Types of Asbestos

All six types of asbestos occur naturally as bundles of durable and thin fibres. They are able to withstand heat, chemicals, fire and electrical conductivity. They also have excellent tensile strength and wear. Asbestos has been used in a wide range of products such as flooring tiles, asbestos insulation paints and heat-resistant fabric.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile also known as white asbestos was the most commonly used form of the mineral that was used in a variety of products prior to its ban in the 1980s. This was because it was affordable, durable and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely harmful and was linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. While some countries still use asbestos, a global ban is now needed.

Health professionals continue to warn of the fact that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic and any amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than other forms of the mineral because it is tightly packed and is non-friable.

While this form of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos, it is still extremely dangerous to handle. Chrysotile is the most commonly mined asbestos and is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous mineral that appears like threads and feels supple to the touch. When examined with electron microscopy the fibres appear like tubes. They are actually composed of structural layers of minerals that are formed into spirals.

Chrysotile has been found to cause a variety of ailments which include pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. People who work with chrysotile, are particularly susceptible to developing these ailments because they are in constant contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was once extensively used in construction and auto repair. It is found in older vehicles and homes.

Amosite

There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used as asbestos. Each mineral has a different chemical composition and properties. However each of them is associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite, amosite and anthophyllite as well as tremolite.

Chrysotile is the most common asbestos type in the United States. It is still present in the roofs, walls and floors of many commercial and residential properties. It is also used in brake gaskets, linings for boilers, gaskets and seals and thermal insulation. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.

All types of asbestos are harmful if inhaled. The exposure to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the most common method of exposure to asbestos, however, it can also occur when handling or working with the asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos is especially dangerous if materials are friable. This means they are prone to break down easily and turn into dust particles that can be blown into the air.

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

The exposure to asbestos happens most often when workers remove or handle it. This is due to asbestos being a fine material and can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed it can release small fibres in the air. This is because sweeping could cause fibres to break up, while vacuuming makes them stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long, straight fibres that are soft and brittle. They are also more harmful to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most popular amphibole asbestos. However, it can there are different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are typically found in natural deposits as well as the chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits, and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos within the deposit.

Asbestos is used in a range of products including asbestos cement sheets and pipes and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets, and coatings. The fibres are woven into paper, fabric, mastics, thread, or bound with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the best application. The shorter fibres are commonly employed in textiles, electrical insulation and filters. On the other hand, the longer fibres are employed in asbestos cement sheets, pipes and flooring.

A number of studies have revealed a connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The findings of these studies differ however the conclusions are influenced by the comparatively limited literature on this subject. In general the risk of developing stomach cancer increases when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effect is diminished when the length of time from the first exposure is taken into account.

Other types of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the abdomen's lining and chest). It has been found that children exposed to asbestos are at greater risk for developing mesothelioma than adults. The reason isn't clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos for a long time and is more severe than any other asbestos related disease. It can affect the lungs, and sometimes other organs, such as the heart or stomach. It can also cause mesothelioma which is a rare cancer that affects lung the lining.

asbestos settlement is a class of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It was extensively employed in construction and can be found in many different products.

Most people do not get sick from the low levels of asbestos in the air. The people who do fall ill are often exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific occupation and for a long period of time. The most common jobs that require asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, government regulations have reduced the use of asbestos, and it is now found in fewer structures. It is still found in older household products such as children's toys and crayons.

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibers that become airborne and can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers can be trapped deep within the lungs. The asbestos fibres can then cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This can lead to lung carcinoma mesothelioma, mesothelioma or other illnesses that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chances of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking and having a family history of the disease.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. Those fibers can then be inhaled or swallowed which can lead to serious health conditions such as mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the organ's lining, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma usually affects the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some cases it can also develop on the tissues of the heart or testicles.

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

A mesothelioma diagnosis begins with a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your medical background including any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you are at a higher risk for the disease.

Once the mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma that you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most prevalent form of this disease, and accounts for around 80% of all mesothelioma diagnoses each year. The other two kinds are peritoneal mesothelioma, and a rare biphasic type of mesothelioma that contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. The type of mesothelioma can help your doctor decide on the best treatment options for you. Treatment can increase your chances of survival based on the nature and location of mesothelioma.