Types of Asbestos

All six types of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as bundles of fine fibrous fibres that are durable. They are resistant to fire, heat, chemicals and electrical conductivity. They have a very high tensile as well as wear strength. Asbestos is used in a variety of products such as flooring tiles, insulation paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos was the most commonly used form of the mineral used in a myriad of products before it was banned in the 1980s. It was popular because it was affordable, fireproof and long-lasting. It was found to be extremely harmful and connected to diseases like mesothelioma. Some countries still employ asbestos but a global ban is needed.

Health professionals continue to warn that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and any amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. However despite this, businesses who mine and sell chrysotile claim that the asbestos they produce is more safe than older forms of the mineral since it is tightly packed and non-friable.

This type of asbestos is less hazardous than the amphibole types of asbestos however it is dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile is the most frequently mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile is a brownish-golden substance that is soft and appears like threads is a fibrous minerals. When examined with electron microscopy the fibres appear more like tubes. They are actually composed of structural layers of minerals that have been formed into spirals.

Chrysotile has been proven to be a cause of a variety of illnesses that include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. These ailments are more common among those who work with chrysotile due to of their long-term exposure to it. Those who work in construction and repair of vehicles are the most likely to encounter Chrysotile asbestos as it was once quite popular. It may be present in older houses and vehicles.

Amosite

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

Chrysotile is the most popular asbestos-related type found in the United States. Many businesses and homes have it in their walls, roofs, and floors. It is also used in the manufacture of automobile brake gaskets, linings of boilers, seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.

All forms of asbestos pose dangers if inhaled. Inhaling any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other disorders of the pleura. Inhalation is the most common route of exposure to asbestos, however it can also occur when working or handling the fibers. Exposure is especially dangerous if the materials are friable which means they can break easily and are able to be blown into the air as dust particles.

Friability is correlated with the fibrillar thickness and their length. The longer and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs, whereas thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do so.

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

Crocidolite

As opposed to serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole has long, straight chain-like fibres, which are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite, amosite and tremolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite and actinolite. These kinds of asbestos can be found in natural deposits that contain the chrysotile. Other asbestos law minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos is used in a range of products including asbestos cement pipe and sheets and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be woven into papers, fabrics, mastics and threads or tied with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine which is the best application. The shorter fibres are commonly used in electrical insulation, textiles and filters, whereas the longer fibres are used in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, and flooring.

Numerous studies have shown an association between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. The results of these studies vary, however the conclusions are limited by the relatively sparse literature on this subject. In general, the risk of cancer of the stomach appears to increase with the increasing exposure to asbestos. The effect is diminished when the latency of the first exposure is considered.

Other forms of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the abdomen's lining as well as the chest). It has been discovered that children exposed to asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma than adults. The reason for this is not known.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is among the most common diseases caused by asbestos. It can be caused by exposure to long-term asbestos and is generally more severe than other forms of asbestos-related illnesses. It can affect the lungs, and, occasionally, other organs like the stomach or asbestos law heart. It can also cause mesothelioma - an uncommon cancer that affects the lung the lining.

Asbestos is comprised of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is widely used in construction and is present in a myriad of products.

Most people don't become ill from low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who do become ill are usually exposed frequently to asbestos during a specific job and often for a longer period of time. The most extensive exposures tends to be found in occupations such as shipbuilding, mining construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government have helped limit the use of asbestos and it is now found in fewer buildings. Some household products from the past like crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos could cause lung diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most widely recognised form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibres that become airborne and are inhaled. When inhaled, the fibres can become trapped deep within the lung. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other diseases that can take many years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease 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. The fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and can cause serious health conditions such as mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the organ's lining, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is typically found in the tissues of the lungs and abdomen. In some instances, it may also develop on the tissues of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because symptoms aren't specific and can mimic symptoms of more common diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.

A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. The doctor will take your medical history in detail and ask about your prior asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your chance of developing the disease is greater.

Your doctor will determine the kind of mesothelioma you have once a mesothelioma is diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma (the most frequent type of the disease, accounts for around 80 percent of mesothelioma cases every year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma that contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma can help your doctor decide on the best treatment options for you. Treatment may increase your chance of surviving depending on the type and location of your mesothelioma.