Types of Asbestos
All six types of asbestos are naturally formed as bundles of durable and thin fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat, chemicals and electrical conductivity. They also have excellent tensile strength and wear. Asbestos is a component in many products including floor 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. It was utilized because it was fireproof, inexpensive and long-lasting. However, it was found to be extremely dangerous and linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. While some countries continue to use asbestos, a total global ban is required now.
Health care professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered to be safe. However, despite this, companies that mine and sell chrysotile claim that the asbestos they produce is safer than earlier types of the mineral because it is tightly packed and non-friable.
This type of asbestos is less harmful than the amphibole asbestos types however, it is dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile is among the most commonly mined asbestos and the one 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 rock. Under an electron microscope, the fibers appear more like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that have been rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile is known to trigger many illnesses, such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. These diseases are more common in those who work with chrysotile because of their frequent exposure to it. Asbestos chrysotile was once extensively employed in the construction industry and auto repair. It can be found in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that were used as asbestos. Each mineral has a distinct chemical composition and properties. However all six are linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite. They also include amosite, anthophyllite and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most common asbestos type in the United States. It is still found today in the roofs, walls and floors of many commercial and residential properties. It was also used as gaskets, thermal insulation, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.
All types of asbestos can be dangerous if inhaled. Exposure to asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Inhalation is by far the most common way to be exposed to asbestos, but it is also possible to be exposed by working with or handling the asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly dangerous if materials are friable. This means that they are prone to breaking down easily and become dust particles in the air.
Friability is related to the fibers' thickness and their length. Longer and thicker fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate deeply into the lungs.
The most common method to expose workers to asbestos is through working with or removing it. This is because asbestos is a fine material and can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed it can release tiny fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping action could cause the fibres to break apart 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 brittle. They are also more hazardous to inhale. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and Crocidolite are the most well-known forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These asbestos types are found in natural deposits that contain the chrysotile. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile within the deposit.
Asbestos can be found in many products, including asbestos cement pipe sheets, sheets, friction material used in coatings, car brakes and gaskets. The fibres can be weaved into paper, fabrics, mastics and thread or joined with Portland cement resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the most appropriate application. The shorter fibres are utilized for electrical insulation, filters and flooring, while the longer ones are utilized for asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.
A number of studies have found a link between asbestos exposure and cancer of the stomach. These studies have varied results however, the conclusions are limited due to the lack of literature. In general, the risk of developing stomach cancer appears to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effects are lessened when the latency in the time since first exposure is taken into consideration.
Other forms of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest). It has been discovered that children who are exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma compared to adults. The reason for this is not known.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most common asbestos-related disease. It is caused by asbestos exposure over a long time and is more severe than any other asbestos-related disease. It can affect the lungs, and occasionally other organs such as the heart or stomach. It could also cause mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is widely used in the construction industry and is found in many different products.
Most people are not afflicted by the low levels of airborne asbestos. People who do get sick are often exposed to asbestos regularly at a particular job and for a long amount of time. The most common jobs that require asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In oakland asbestos attorney , federal regulations allowed for the reduction of the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. It is still in some older household products like crayons for children and toys.
All forms of asbestos could cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and could be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped within the lungs when breathed in. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This can cause lung cancer mesothelioma as well as other diseases which can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking cigarettes and having a family history of the condition.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the manufacture of insulation or in the construction of homes and buildings, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers may be inhaled or swallowed, causing serious health issues such as mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is the lining which protects organs. Mesothelioma tends to be found in the tissues of the lungs and abdomen. In some instances, it may be found on the tissues of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos sufferers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as result of exposure at work. Mesothelioma can also be a problem for family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma can be difficult identify because the symptoms aren't always specific and often mimic those of more common diseases. This is why mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients might not receive the treatment they require.
A visit to your doctor is the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. The doctor will take your medical history in detail and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.
Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is made, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most frequent type of the disease, accounts for approximately 80 percent of mesothelioma cases each year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic form of mesothelioma, which contains epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell types. The type of mesothelioma can aid your doctor in determining the best treatment options for you. Based on your location and the type of mesothelioma, treatment can increase your chances of surviving.