Types of Asbestos
All six types of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as bundles of fine long, tough 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, as well as 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. It was this because it was inexpensive, durable and fireproof. It was found to be extremely harmful and connected to diseases like mesothelioma. Some countries still employ asbestos, but a worldwide prohibition is needed.
Health care professionals continue to warn that all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile, can cause cancer and no amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. However despite this, businesses that mine and sell chrysotile claim that the asbestos they make is more secure than older varieties of the mineral since it is tightly packed and non-friable.
This type of asbestos is not as dangerous than the amphibole types of asbestos however, it is hazardous for workers to handle. Chrysotile, the most widely mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases around the world. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads, is a fibrous mineral. Under an electron microscope, the fibers look like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral, rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile is known to cause various illnesses, such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal issues. These diseases are more common among those who work with chrysotile as a result of their frequent exposure to it. Those who work in construction and auto repair are the most likely to encounter Chrysotile asbestos as it was once very popular. It is often found in older homes and vehicles.
Amosite
Asbest is made from six different types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties. However they are all linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile is by far the most widely used asbestos-related type found in the United States. Many homes and businesses still have it on their walls, roofs and floors. It was also used as thermal insulation, gaskets, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.
Inhaling asbestos in any form is a risk. victorville asbestos lawsuit to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease and mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos is most often caused by inhalation, but it is also caused by working or handling asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly dangerous when the asbestos is friable that is to say they break down easily and may be inhaled as dust particles.
Friability is a function length and thickness of the fibers. The longer and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate deep into the lungs, whereas shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do this.
The most common exposure to asbestos is often when workers are handling or removing it. Asbestos is an extremely fine, crystal-like material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed it can release tiny fibres in the air. This is because a sweeping action can cause the fibres break up and vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) has long straight fibres which are brittle. They are also more harmful to breathe in. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and Crocidolite are the most commonly used forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are often found in natural deposits, along with the chrysotile asbestos. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite combined with chrysotile in the deposit.
Asbestos is utilized in a variety of items including asbestos cement pipe and sheets and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are woven into fabric, paper, mastics, thread, or bound with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the most suitable application. The shorter fibres can be utilized for electrical insulation, filters and flooring, whereas the longer ones are utilized for asbestos sheets, pipes, and flooring.
A number of studies have found a link between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. These studies yield varied results, but the conclusions are not conclusive because of the absence of literature. In general, the risk of developing stomach cancer increases when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effects are lessened when the latency prior to the first exposure is taken into consideration.
Other types of asbestos have been implicated in the formation of mesothelioma, a malignant tumor that affects the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). Children who are exposed asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons behind this are not understood.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most prevalent asbestos-related disease. It is caused by asbestos exposure over a prolonged period of time, and is more serious than any other asbestos disease. It can affect the lungs, and occasionally other organs such as the heart or stomach. It can also cause mesothelioma. an uncommon cancer that affects lungs the lining.
Asbestos consists of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It can be found in a number of different products and was once extensively used in construction, but has now been banned due to its negative effects.
Most people are not affected by low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who do get sick are usually exposed frequently to asbestos in a specific job, and often for a longer period of time. The most severe exposures tend to be in jobs such as shipbuilding, mining as well as construction and insulation. In recent years, regulations from the government allowed for the reduction of the use and amount of asbestos in construction sites. Some older household products like crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.
All forms of asbestos could cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis among other diseases. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed microscopically, tiny fibres are released into the air, and they can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres can become trapped deep within the lung. The asbestos fibres can then cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This can result in lung cancer mesothelioma and other diseases which can take 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 disease.
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 can be breathed in or swallowed and can trigger serious health issues like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of organs called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma tends to be found in the lung linings and the abdomen. In certain cases it can also be found in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of exposure at work. Mesothelioma can also be a problem for family members of asbestos workers. It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma as the symptoms are not specific and often resemble those of other diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and patients may not receive the treatment they require.
A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, including any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you're an increased risk of contracting the disease.
After the mesothelioma diagnosis has been established, your doctor will determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from. Pleural mesothelioma (the most common type of this disease, accounts for approximately 80% of mesothelioma diagnosis each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid, as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma that you are diagnosed with will help your doctor determine the most appropriate treatment options for you. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment can increase your chances of survival.