Types of Asbestos

All six types of asbestos are found naturally in bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant to fire, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They have a high tensile and wear strength. 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 called white asbestos) was the most frequently used form of the mineral. It was used because it was fireproof, cheap and durable. It was discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to diseases like mesothelioma. While some countries continue to use asbestos, a global ban is required now.

Health care professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile is carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure can be considered safe. However, despite this, companies that mine and sell chrysotile say that the asbestos they mine is more safe than older forms of the mineral due to the fact that it is tightly packed and not flammable.

While this form of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos, it's still extremely dangerous to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly used kind of asbestos mined and is the main cause of mesothelioma cancer cases around the world. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous minerals. When examined with electron microscopy the fibers look more like tubes. They are actually a mixture of structural layers of minerals that have been rolled into spiral form.

Chrysotile is known to cause numerous diseases, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. These ailments are more common for those who work with chrysotile because of their constant exposure to it. Asbestos chrysotile used to be extensively used in auto and construction repair. It is found in older homes and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used to make asbestos. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties however, all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. This includes amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile and crocidolite (white asbestos), amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.

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

Inhaling any asbestos litigation-related substance is a risk. Any exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma and other lung diseases. Exposure to asbestos is commonly caused by inhalation, but it is also caused through handling or working with asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly dangerous if materials are friable. This means they are susceptible to crumbling easily and turn into dust particles in the air.

Friability is correlated with the fibrillar thickness and their length. Thicker and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate deep into the lungs, while shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do so.

The most frequent method to expose workers to asbestos is by manipulating or removing it. Asbestos is a very fine, crystallized substance that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it may release tiny fibres into air. This is because a sweeping process can cause the fibres to break up, while vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), has long straight fibres, which are tough and brittle. They are also more harmful to breathe in. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most well-known forms of amphibole. Other types include anthophyllite, actinolite and. These types of asbestos can be found in natural deposits along with Chrysotile. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite and combined with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos is used in a myriad of products including asbestos cement pipes and sheets and friction materials used in car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are weaved into paper, fabric thread, mastics or bound with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the best application. The shorter fibres are usually employed in textiles, electrical insulation and filters, whereas the longer fibres are utilized in asbestos cement sheets, pipes and flooring.

Numerous studies have revealed an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The results of these studies are varied however the conclusions are limited because of the absence of research. In general the risk of stomach cancer is seen to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the risk is reduced when the time prior to the first exposure is considered.

Other forms of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the abdomen's lining and chest). It has been observed that children exposed to asbestos are more at chance of developing mesothelioma compared to adults. The reasons behind this are not clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one the most prevalent cancers caused by asbestos. It can be caused by exposure to asbestos and is typically more serious than other types of asbestos disease. It affects the lungs, and occasionally other organs, such as the heart, stomach and bladder. It is also a cause of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.

Asbestos belongs to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It can be found in a number of different products and was extensively used in construction but has since been banned due to its ill effects.

Most people are not afflicted by the low levels of airborne asbestos. However, those that get sick are typically exposed frequently to asbestos during a specific work and typically for a long period of time. The heaviest exposures tend to be in jobs like shipbuilding, mining construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government have reduced the use of asbestos and it is now found in fewer structures. It is still found in older household products, such as children's toys and crayons.

All forms of asbestos could cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known kind of asbestos. Crocidolite as well as Amphibole are kinds of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibers that become airborne and can be inhaled. Inhaling these fibres, they can become trapped deep within the lungs. The asbestos fibres could cause scarring and inflammation of the lung. This could cause mesothelioma, lung cancer or other illnesses that may take many years to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related disease 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. The fibers can be consumed or swallowed, leading to serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is the lining which covers organs. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In certain cases, it may also develop on the tissues of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can also affect the family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because the symptoms aren't always specific and can mimic symptoms of more common diseases. Mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma starts with visiting your doctor. Your doctor will conduct an entire medical history and inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.

Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will determine which type of Mesothelioma Case is present. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most frequent type of this disease and accounts for about 80percent of all mesothelioma cases each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic cancers that contain epithelioid, as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment for you according to the type of mesothelioma. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment may increase the chances of survival.