Types of Asbestos
All six types of asbestos naturally form strings of pliable and durable fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat chemicals, electrical conductivity and chemical vapors. They also have excellent wear and tensile strength. Asbestos is used in many products including floor tiles, insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabric.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos was the most commonly used type of mineral used in a myriad of products before it was banned in the 1980s. It was popular because it was fireproof, inexpensive and long-lasting. However, it was found to be extremely harmful and associated with mesothelioma, as well as other diseases. Some countries still use asbestos, however a global prohibition is needed.
Health care professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is safer than older forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and non-friable.
This type of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos types however, it is hazardous for people to handle. Chrysotile, the most widely mined asbestos, and it is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral which appears like threads, and feels soft to the touch. Under texas asbestos lawyer , the fibers look like tubes and are made up of structural layers of the mineral rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile has been proven to cause a variety of diseases which include pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal issues. People who work with chrysotile, are particularly at risk for developing these diseases because they are in constant contact with the mineral. Asbestos was once widely used in auto and construction repair. It is often found in older homes and vehicles.
Amosite
Asbest is comprised of six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has a different chemical composition and properties. However each of them is linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and Tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most common form of asbestos in the United States. Many homes and businesses still have it on their walls, roofs, and floors. It is also used in brake gaskets, linings, boiler seals and thermal insulation. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.
All forms of asbestos pose dangers if inhaled. Inhaling asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural disease and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is typically caused by inhalation however, it can also be caused through the handling or work with asbestos fibres. The exposure to asbestos is especially risky if the material is friable. This means that they are prone to break down easily and then become airborne dust particles.
Friability is a result of the length and thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibres are more likely to penetrate into the lungs, whereas shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do so.
The most common exposure to asbestos is often when workers are handling or removing it. Asbestos is a fine, crystalline material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is vacuumed or swept it can release tiny fibres into the air. This is because sweeping may cause fibres to break, while vacuuming makes them stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), has long straight fibres, which are fragile. They are also more harmful to inhale. Crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most commonly used amphibole asbestos, but it is also found in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos are often found in natural deposits as well as chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits and may be mixed with chrysotile asbestos within the deposit.
Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products including asbestos cement pipe and sheets, friction materials for car brakes, gaskets, and coatings. The fibres can be weaved into papers, fabrics, mastics or threads, or bound by Portland cement resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres determine which is the most suitable application. The shorter fibres are usually used in electrical insulation, textiles and filters, whereas the longer fibres are employed in asbestos cement sheets, pipes and flooring.
A number of studies have found a link between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. These studies have varied results, but the conclusions are limited due to the absence of evidence. In general, the risk of cancer of the stomach appears to increase as a result of increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the risk is reduced when the time in the time since first exposure is considered.
Other forms of asbestos can be implicated in the development mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the abdominal lining and chest). Children who are exposed asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons for this are not clear.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is among the most common cancers caused by asbestos. It can be caused by exposure to long-term asbestos, and is usually more severe than other forms of asbestos-related illnesses. It affects the lungs, and occasionally other organs like the stomach, heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma. a rare cancer that affects lung lining.
Asbestos belongs to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is found in many different products and was extensively used in construction, but has since been banned due to its ill effects.
Most people aren't ill from low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who get sick are typically exposed on a regular basis to asbestos while working in a particular job, and often for a longer period of time. The most severe exposures tend to be in jobs such as shipbuilding, mining construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government have reduced the use of asbestos, and it is now present in fewer buildings. It is still in some older household products like crayons and toys for kids.
All forms of asbestos could cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other illnesses. Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known type of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibres that are released into the air and can be inhaled. These fibres can get trapped in the lungs after inhalation. The asbestos fibers can cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This can result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma, mesothelioma or other diseases that may take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking cigarettes and having an ancestral history of the disease.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the manufacturing of insulation or in the construction of homes, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into air. The fibers can be taken in by swallowing or inhalation and can cause serious health problems like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that grows in the organ's lining, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is typically found in the lung lining and abdomen. In certain cases it can also occur in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult detect because symptoms aren't precise and often mimic those of more common diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.
A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will conduct a complete medical history and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if the risk of developing the disease is higher.
Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma in your body when a mesothelioma diagnosis is made. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts for around 80% of mesothelioma diagnosis each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma that contains epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma you have will help your doctor determine the most appropriate treatment options for you. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from, treatment can increase your chances of survival.