Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as bundles of thin long, tough fibres. They are able to withstand fire, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding tensile strength and wear. Asbestos has been used in a variety of products including flooring tiles, insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in 1980 Chrysotile (also known as white asbestos) was the most commonly used form of the mineral. It was popular because it was affordable, fireproof and durable. It was found to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma and other cancers. Some countries still use asbestos, but a worldwide prohibition is needed.

Health professionals continue to warn that all types of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and any amount of exposure is safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is safer than 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's still dangerous to handle. Chrysotile is among the most commonly mined asbestos and is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous mineral which appears like threads and feels soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibres look more like tubes and are made up of structural layers of the mineral that have been rolled in spiral form.

Chrysotile is known to cause many illnesses, such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. These illnesses are more prevalent in those who work with chrysotile as a result of their constant exposure to it. Workers in construction or automobile repair are most likely to come across Chrysotile asbestos since it was once very well-known. It can be found in older vehicles and homes.

Amosite

Asbest is composed of six different kinds of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties. However, all six are associated with a higher risk of mesothelioma. These include amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile, Crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite anthophyllite, and tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular form of asbestos in the United States. It can still be found in the roofs, walls and floors of many homes and businesses. It was also used as thermal insulation, gaskets, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.

All types of asbestos are harmful when inhaled. The exposure to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease and mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos is most typically caused by inhalation however, it can also be caused through handling or working with fibres. The risk of exposure is particularly high if the materials are friable which means they break easily and may be inhaled as dust particles.

Friability is determined by the thickness of the fibres and their length. The longer and more dense fibers are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate deep into the lungs.

The most common method to expose workers to asbestos is by working with or removing it. This is because asbestos is a very fine material and may be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it may release small fibres in the air. This is because a sweeping action could cause the fibres to break up when vacuuming them, while causing them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

In contrast to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibres that are more fragile and hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and Crocidolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These types of asbestos case can be found in natural deposits containing chrysotile. It is believed that the other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits and may be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos found in the deposit.

Asbestos is used in a range of products including asbestos cement sheets and pipes, friction materials for car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are made into fabric, paper, mastics, thread, or bonded by Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the best 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 revealed a connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. These studies have varied results however the conclusions aren't as conclusive due to the absence of research. The risk of developing cancer of the stomach appears to increase with increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the effect is diminished when the length of time prior to the first exposure is taken into account.

Other types 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 who are exposed to asbestos are at greater risk for developing mesothelioma than adults. The reasons are unknown.

Lung cancer

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

Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is widely used in the construction industry and is found in a variety of products.

Most people don't become sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. The people who do fall ill are often exposed to asbestos regularly during a specific job and for a long amount of time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have helped reduce the use of asbestos, and it is now found in fewer structures. Some of the older household items, such as crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung ailments such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most well-known form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing material is disturbed microscopically, tiny fibres are released into the air and may be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres can be trapped deep within the lungs. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This can lead to lung carcinoma mesothelioma and other diseases that may take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chances of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking and having an ancestor with the disease.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used in the production of insulation, or for asbestos claim the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. These fibers can be breathed in or swallowed and can trigger serious health problems like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is a lining that protects organs. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lung lining and abdomen. 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. Mesothelioma also can affect family members of asbestos workers. It is often difficult to identify mesothelioma due to the fact that the symptoms aren't specific and are often similar to symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and patients may not receive the treatment they require.

A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will take a complete medical history and ask about your past asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your risk of developing the disease is higher.

Your doctor will determine which type of mesothelioma in your body when a mesothelioma diagnosis is made. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of this disease, accounts for around 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses every year. The other two types are peritoneal and a rare biphasic variant of mesothelioma. It is composed of both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. The type of mesothelioma that you are diagnosed with will help your doctor determine the best treatment options for you. Based on your location and the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment may improve your chances of survival.