Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of asbestos occur naturally as bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are able to withstand heat, chemicals, fire and electrical conductivity. They possess a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos is used in a wide range 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. This was due to the fact that it was inexpensive, durable and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely harmful and associated with mesothelioma as well as other illnesses. Some countries still use asbestos, but a worldwide ban is needed.

Health professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered safe. However despite this, companies that mine and sell chrysotile say that the asbestos they mine is safer than older types of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and non-friable.

This kind of asbestos is less harmful than the amphibole varieties of asbestos however, it is hazardous for people to handle. Chrysotile, the most widely mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile, a gold-colored brownish mineral that feels soft and looks like threads, is a fibrous mineral. Under an electron microscope the fibers appear like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral, rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile has been proven to be the cause of many diseases which include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer, asbestos and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. Those who work with chrysotile have a greater chance of being susceptible to developing these diseases because they have prolonged contact with the mineral. People who work in construction and auto repair are the most likely to come across chrysotile asbestos because it was once quite well-known. It is found in older houses and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is made from six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties, but all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and Tremolite.

Chrysotile is by far the most widely used type of asbestos in the United States. It is still found today in the roofs, walls and asbestos floors of many homes and businesses. It was also used for gaskets, thermal insulation and boiler seals in automobiles. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles or cement sheets as well as pipe insulation.

All types of asbestos can be dangerous if inhaled. Inhaling asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural diseases and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is most often caused by breathing, but it can also be triggered through handling or working with fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means they are prone to break down easily and become dust particles in the air.

Friability is dependent on the thickness of the fibres and their length. Thicker and longer fibres will be more likely to penetrate into the lungs, while thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do so.

The most common method to expose workers to asbestos claim is through handling or removing asbestos. This is due to asbestos being an extremely fine material that can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is vacuumed or swept it may release tiny fibres into the air. This is because sweeping can cause fibres to break and vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

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

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

Numerous studies have proven an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The outcomes of these studies are varied however the conclusions are limited by the comparatively limited literature on the subject. In general, the risk of stomach cancer appears to increase with the increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the risk is diminished when the length of time since first exposure is considered.

Other types of asbestos have been linked in the development of mesothelioma an aggressive cancer that affects the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). It has been observed that children exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reasons for this are unknown.

Lung cancer

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

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It can be found in many different products and was widely used in construction, but has now been banned due to its harmful effects.

Most people are not affected by the low levels of airborne asbestos. People who do get sick are usually exposed to asbestos on a regular basis during a specific job and over a long period of time. The heaviest exposures tend to be in jobs like shipbuilding, mining as well as construction and insulation. In recent years, federal regulations have helped limit the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. Certain household items from the past, such as crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung diseases like 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 materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibers that become airborne and are inhaled. These fibres could get trapped within the lungs when breathed in. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This can result in lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other diseases which can take years to develop. Smoking and having a family history of asbestos-related diseases are two factors which increase your chance of developing.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. The fibers are later swallowed or inhaled and can cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.

The mesothelium, the lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma can be found in the tissues of the lungs and abdomen. In some instances, it may also be found on the tissue of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos-related victims are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms aren't always specific and frequently resemble symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they require.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma starts with a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will take an entire medical history and ask about your past asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if you're at an increased risk for contracting the disease.

Once the mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed by your doctor, they will determine what kind of mesothelioma that you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most frequent type of this disease and accounts for about 88% of all mesothelioma cases each year. The other two types are peritoneal and a rare biphasic version of mesothelioma, which contains both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. The type of mesothelioma can help your doctor determine the most appropriate treatment options for you. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma, treatment can increase the chances of survival.