Types of Asbestos
All six types of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as bundles of fine, 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 including flooring tiles, insulation, paints and heat-resistant fabric.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos was the most popular form of the mineral used in thousands of different products before it was banned in the 1980s. It was this because it was affordable, durable, and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely harmful and associated with mesothelioma as well as other diseases. While some countries still use asbestos, a total global ban is required now.
Health professionals continue to warn that all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile can cause cancer and no amount of exposure is safe. However despite this, companies that mine and sell chrysotile say that the asbestos they produce is more safe than older forms of the mineral because it is tightly packed and non-friable.
Although this kind of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos but it is still a risk to handle. Chrysotile, the most widely mined asbestos and the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral that looks like threads and feels supple to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibers appear more like tubes and are a result of structural layers of the mineral rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile has been found to be a cause of a variety of diseases, including pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease. People who work with chrysotile are particularly susceptible to developing these ailments because they are in constant contact with the mineral. Those who work in construction and auto repair are the most likely to come across chrysotile asbestos because it was once very well-known. It is often found in older homes and vehicles.
Amosite
There are six types of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties and all six are linked to increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most common form of asbestos in the United States. It is still found today in the walls, roofs and floors of many businesses and homes. It was also used as gaskets, thermal insulation and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.
Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is risky. The exposure to any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other pleural diseases. Exposure to asbestos is typically caused by inhalation but it is also caused through handling or working with asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly risky if the material is friable. This means they are susceptible to crumbling easily and then become dust particles in the air.
Friability is a function of length and the thickness of the fibers. Thicker and longer fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate into the lungs.
The most frequent method to expose workers to asbestos is by working with or removing asbestos. Asbestos is an extremely fine, crystalline material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed it can release tiny fibres in the air. This is because a sweeping motion can cause the fibres to break up when vacuuming them, while causing them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres that are soft and brittle. They are also more hazardous to inhale. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most commonly used forms of amphibole. Other types include anthophyllite, actinolite and. These kinds of asbestos are often found in natural deposits, along with the chrysotile asbestos. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite mixed with chrysotile within the deposit.
Asbestos is present in a variety of products, such as asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction material used in car brakes, coatings, and gaskets. The fibres can be woven into paper, fabrics, mastics and threads or connected with Portland cement resins, plastics, or resins. The length and the size of the fibres will determine their best application. The shorter fibres can be used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, while longer fibres are used for asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.
Numerous studies have proven the connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The results of these studies are varied however the conclusions are skewed because of the absence of research. Generally, the risk for stomach cancer appears to increase as a result of increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the risk is lessened when the latency since first exposure is taken into consideration.
Other forms of asbestos can be implicated in the development mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the abdominal lining and chest). It has been discovered that children exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reasons for this are not understood.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one the most common cancers caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos for a long time and is more serious than any other asbestos-related illness. It affects the lungs, and occasionally other organs like the heart, stomach and bladder. It could also cause mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is composed of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It can be found in a variety of different products. It was once widely used in construction but is now banned due to its negative effects.
Most people aren't sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. However, those that do get sick 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 those in positions such as mining, shipbuilding construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, government regulations have reduced the use of and the presence of asbestos in buildings. Some of the older household items, such as crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.
All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most well-known type of asbestos. Crocidolite and Amphibole are both types of asbestos.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres that are released into the air and can be inhaled. These fibres could get trapped in the lungs when inhaled. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other diseases that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk 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. The fibers can be inhaled, or swallowed and cause serious health problems like mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is the lining which covers organs. independence asbestos law firm affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some cases it may also manifest in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma owing to exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can also be a problem for family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect because symptoms aren't precise and can mimic symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and victims may not get the treatment they need.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will collect a complete medical history and inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your risk of developing the disease is higher.
Once the mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will determine the type 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 diagnosis each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid, as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma will help your doctor decide on the best treatment options for you. Based on the location you live in and the type of mesothelioma, treatment may improve your chances of survival.