Types of Asbestos

All six types of asbestos are found naturally in bundles of durable and thin fibres. They are resistant to chemical, heat, fire and electrical conductivity. They have a very high tensile as well as wear strength. Asbestos is a component in many products such as floor tiles, insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabric.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, was the most common type of mineral used in a myriad of products before it was banned in the 1980s. It was popular because it was fireproof, affordable and durable. It was discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to diseases like mesothelioma. While some countries continue to use asbestos, a total global ban is now needed.

Health care professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than the older forms of the mineral because it's a tightly packed and is non-friable.

While this form of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos, it's still extremely dangerous to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular type of asbestos mined, and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases across the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral which appears like threads, and feels soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope the fibers look like tubes and are a result of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile is known to trigger many illnesses, such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. These ailments are more common for those who work with chrysotile due to of their long-term exposure to it. Asbestos was once widely used in construction and auto repair. It could be found in older vehicles and homes.

Amosite

Asbest is comprised of six different types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties. However each of them is associated with a higher risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and tremolite.

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

All types of asbestos can be dangerous when inhaled. Any exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases. Inhalation is the most common route of exposure to asbestos, but it can also occur when handling or working with the asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly dangerous if the materials are friable, which means they crumble 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 longer fibres are more likely to penetrate into the lungs, whereas thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do this.

Exposure to asbestos occurs most often when workers handle or remove it. Asbestos is a fine crystal-like material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed, it may release small fibres in the air. This is because sweeping can cause fibres to break and vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

In contrast to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos has long straight chain-like fibres which are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) as well as amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos. They also exist in other forms like anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are usually found in natural deposits, along with chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are also contaminants in crocidolite deposits and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposit.

Asbestos is used in a variety of items including asbestos cement pipes and sheets and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be weaved into paper, fabric, mastics or threads, or joined with Portland cement resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine which is the most suitable application. The shorter fibres are commonly employed in electrical insulation, textiles and filters, whereas the longer fibres are employed in asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

Numerous studies have shown an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The results of these studies vary however, and the conclusions are influenced due to the lack of research on the subject. In general the risk of stomach cancer is likely to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the risk is lessened when the latency in the time since first exposure is taken into account.

Other types of asbestos claim have been linked in the development of mesothelioma which is a malignant tumor that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest (Mesothelioma). Children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reason for this is not clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one the most common illnesses caused by asbestos. It is caused by asbestos exposure over a long time and is more serious than any other asbestos-related illness. It affects the lungs, and sometimes other organs like the stomach, the heart and bladder. It is also a cause of mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.

Asbestos is composed of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It was extensively employed 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 asbestos claim for a long amount of time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government have helped to limit the use of asbestos and it is now used in fewer structures. It is still found in older household products such as crayons for children and toys.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Amphibole and Crocidolite are also forms of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibres are released into the air, and they can be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped within the lungs when breathed in. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other diseases that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chances of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking and having a family history of the disease.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for insulation or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. Those fibers can then be consumed or swallowed and cause serious health problems like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is a lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma usually affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances, it may also be found 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 be a problem for family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma may be difficult to detect because symptoms aren't precise and often mimic those of more common diseases. Mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with a visit to your doctor. The doctor will inquire about your medical background, including any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if you are at a higher risk for the disease.

Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is established, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered form of the disease, and accounts for around 80percent of mesothelioma cases each year. The other two kinds are peritoneal mesothelioma, and a rare biphasic version of mesothelioma. This type contains both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. Your doctor will decide the best course of action for you according to the type of mesothelioma. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma, treatment may increase the chances of survival.