Types of Asbestos
All six kinds of asbestos naturally form 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 a component in many products including floor tiles, insulation, paint, and fabric that is heat-resistant.
Chrysotile
Before it was banned in the year 1980 Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most commonly used form of the mineral. This was because it was cheap, durable and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely risky and linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. While some countries continue to use asbestos, a global ban is now needed.
Health care professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is more safe than the older versions of the mineral because it is tightly packed and is not flammable.
Although this type of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos, it is still dangerous to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly used type of asbestos mined, and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous mineral which appears like threads and is soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibers look like tubes and are a result of structural layers of the mineral rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile has been found to cause a range of illnesses which include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and other respiratory issues. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal issues. These illnesses are more prevalent for those who work with chrysotile as a result of their prolonged contact with it. Construction workers and automobile repair are most likely to encounter Chrysotile asbestos since it was once quite popular. It could be found in older houses and vehicles.
Amosite
There are six types of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has its particular chemical composition and characteristics however, all six are linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile, the crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, Tremolite anthophyllite and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known asbestos type in the United States. Numerous homes and businesses have it in their walls, roofs and floors. It is also used in automotive brake linings, gaskets, boiler seals and thermal insulation. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile are cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.
All types of asbestos legal can be dangerous when inhaled. The exposure to asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural diseases and mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos is most often caused by inhalation, however, it can also be caused by working or handling fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly hazardous if the materials are friable which means they break easily and are able to be blown into the air as dust particles.
Friability is determined by the size of the fibres as well as their length. The longer and more dense fibers are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate deeply into the lungs.
The most common exposure to asbestos is often when workers work with or remove it. Asbestos is a fine crystal-like material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is vacuumed or swept it could release small fibres into the air. This is because sweeping could cause fibres to break up when vacuuming them, whereas sweeping causes them to stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos is different from serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) has long straight fibres, which are fragile. They are also more dangerous to inhale. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and Crocidolite are the most well-known forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These kinds of asbestos are typically found in natural deposits along with the chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are also contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos found in the deposit.
Asbestos is found in a variety of products, such as asbestos cement pipe sheets, sheets, friction material used in coatings, brakes for cars, and gaskets. The fibres are weaved into fabric, paper, thread, mastics or bound with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determines the best application. The shorter fibres are used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, whereas the longer ones are used for asbestos sheets, pipes, and flooring.
A number of studies have found a link between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. The findings of these studies differ, however the conclusions are influenced due to the lack of research on this topic. In general, the risk of cancer of the stomach appears to increase with the increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the effects are reduced when the time in the time since first exposure is taken into consideration.
Other forms of asbestos have been implicated in the formation of mesothelioma an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest (Mesothelioma). It has been found that children exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reason for this is not clear.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most frequently-assuaged illnesses caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a long time, and is more serious than any other asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs, and sometimes other organs like the stomach, heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma which is an uncommon cancer that affects the lungs the lining.
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is widely employed in construction and can be found in a variety of different products.
Most people don’t become sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. People who do get sick are usually exposed to asbestos regularly during a specific job and over a long period of time. The most common jobs that require asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, government regulations helped to limit the use and prevalence of asbestos in buildings. It is still found in older household products such as crayons for children and toys.
All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most well-known form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibers that are then airborne and inhaled. When inhaled, the fibres can become trapped deep within the lung. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other diseases that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chances of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking cigarettes and having a family history of the disease.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the production of insulation, or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health conditions like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that occurs in the organ’s lining known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma tends to be found in the lung lining and abdomen. In some instances, it may be found on the tissue of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since the symptoms are not specific and can be similar to those of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and victims may not get the treatment they need.
A mesothelioma diagnosis starts with visiting your doctor. The doctor will inquire about your medical history and any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your are at an increased risk for contracting the disease.
Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma in your body once mesothelioma is identified. Pleural mesothelioma, the most frequent type of the disease, accounts for approximately 80 percent of mesothelioma cases each year. The other two kinds are peritoneal mesothelioma, and a rare biphasic type of mesothelioma, which contains both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. The type of mesothelioma you have will help your doctor determine the best treatment options for you. Based on your location as well as the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from, treatment can help increase your chances of survival.