Types of Asbestos

The six varieties of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as bundles of thin and durable fibres. They are able to withstand heat, chemicals, fire and electrical conductivity. They have a very high tensile as well as wear strength. Asbestos can be found in a wide range of products like flooring tiles, insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in 1980, Chrysotile (also known as white asbestos) was the most widely used form of the mineral. This was due to the fact that it was affordable, durable and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely risky and was linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. Some countries still use asbestos, but a worldwide ban is needed.

Health care professionals continue to warn that all kinds 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 safety is better than the older versions of the mineral because it's tightly packaged and non-friable.

Although this type of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos, it is still extremely dangerous to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used type of asbestos mined. It is the main cause of mesothelioma cancer cases across the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous material that appears like threads, and feels soft to the touch. In an electron microscope, the fibers appear to be tubes. They are actually a mixture of structural layers of minerals that are formed into spirals.

Chrysotile has been proven to be the cause of many diseases which include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and other respiratory issues. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. These conditions are more prevalent among those who work with chrysotile as a result of their prolonged contact with it. People who work in construction and repair of vehicles are the most likely to come across Chrysotile asbestos since it was once very popular. It can be found in older buildings and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is comprised of six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has a different chemical composition and properties. However they are all associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite. They also include amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.

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

Inhaling asbestos in any form is a risk. Exposure to any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer and other pleural diseases. Exposure to asbestos is commonly caused by inhalation, but can also be caused by handling or working with fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly dangerous when the materials are brittle which means they can break easily and are then able to airborne as dust particles.

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

The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers work with or remove it. Asbestos is an extremely fine, crystal-like material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it could release tiny fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping action could cause the fibres to break up when vacuuming them, while causing them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Contrary to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole asbestos has long straight chain-like fibers that are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are typically found in natural deposits along with chrysotile asbestos. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile within the deposit.

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

Numerous studies have proven an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. These studies have produced varied results, but the conclusions are skewed due to the lack of evidence. In general, the risk of developing stomach cancer increases as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effect is reduced when the time prior to the first exposure is taken into account.

Other forms of asbestos are implicated in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the abdomen's lining as well as the chest). Children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons for this are not clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most well-known asbestos-related disease. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a long time and is more serious than any other asbestos-related illness. It can affect the lungs and occasionally other organs such as the heart or stomach. It may also cause mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is widely used in construction and is found in a myriad of products.

The majority of people don't get sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. However, those that do become ill are usually exposed frequently to asbestos in a specific job, and usually for a longer period of time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, federal regulations allowed for the reduction of the use and prevalence of asbestos compensation in buildings. Some of the older household items, such as crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung ailments such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled. When inhaled, the fibres can become trapped deep within the lungs. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This can result in lung cancer mesothelioma and other diseases that may take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking and having an ancestral history of the disease.

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 may be inhaled, or swallowed and cause serious health issues like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is a lining that protects organs. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lung linings and the abdomen. In some instances, it may be found on the linings of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos sufferers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as result of their exposure at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to the fact that the symptoms aren't distinct and frequently resemble those of other diseases. Because of this, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and victims may not receive the treatment they require.

A mesothelioma diagnosis begins with an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will take your medical history in detail and ask about your prior asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.

When the mesothelioma diagnose is established, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma you have. Pleural mesothelioma has been identified as the most commonly encountered form of the disease and accounts for approximately 80% of all mesothelioma diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid aswell as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma can aid your doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment options for you. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma, treatment may improve your chances of survival.