Types of Asbestos
All six types of asbestos occur naturally as bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire as well as chemical and electrical conductivity. They possess a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products including floor tiles, insulation, paint and heat-resistant fabrics.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile is also known as white asbestos was the most widely used form of the mineral that was used in thousands of different products prior to its ban in the 1980s. This was due to the fact that it was affordable, durable, and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely dangerous and associated with mesothelioma as well as other illnesses. Some countries still employ asbestos, but a global ban is needed.
Health care professionals continue to warn of the fact that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is safer than the older forms of the mineral because it’s tightly packaged and non-friable.
This type of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos types, but it is still hazardous for workers to work with. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular type of asbestos mined. It is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous mineral. In an electron microscope, the fibers appear to be tubes. They are actually a combination structural layers of minerals that are rolled into a spiral shape.
Chrysotile has been shown to be the cause of many illnesses which include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and other respiratory issues. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. These diseases are more common in those who work with chrysotile due to of their frequent exposure to it. Construction workers and automobile repair are most likely to encounter Chrysotile asbestos as it was once extremely popular. It is found in old homes and vehicles.
Amosite
There are six kinds of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties and all six are linked to increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos) as well as crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used asbestos type in the United States. Many homes and businesses still have it on their walls, roofs and floors. It is also used in automotive brake gaskets, linings for boilers, gaskets and seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile are shingles or cement sheets as well as pipe insulation.
Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is a risk. The exposure to any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestos other disorders of the pleura. The exposure to asbestos is most typically caused by inhalation but it can also be triggered through the handling or work with asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly dangerous when the asbestos is friable which means they break easily and may be inhaled as dust particles.
Friability is a function length and thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibres are more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs, while thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do so.
The most common way to expose workers to asbestos is through taking it off or handling it. This is because asbestos is a very fine substance 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 small fibres in the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping could cause the fibres to break up when vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
In contrast to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole asbestos is composed of long, straight chain-like fibres that are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most commonly used forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These asbestos types are often found in natural deposits as well as the chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that the other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposit.
Asbestos is used in a myriad of products including asbestos cement pipe and sheets as well as friction materials for car brakes, gaskets, and coatings. The fibres are weaved into fabric, paper, thread, mastics, or bonded with Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The length and size of the fibres determine which is the most suitable application. The shorter fibres are commonly used in textiles, electrical insulation and filters. On the other hand, the longer fibres are employed in asbestos cement sheets, pipes and flooring.
Numerous studies have reported an association between asbestos law exposure and cancer of the stomach. These studies yield varied results, but the conclusions are skewed because of the absence of research. Generally speaking, the risk of cancer of the stomach appears to increase with the increasing exposure to asbestos. The effect is reduced when latency from the first exposure is considered.
Other forms of asbestos have been linked in the formation of mesothelioma, a malignant tumor that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest (Mesothelioma). It has been observed that children exposed to asbestos are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma than adults. The reason for this is not known.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most frequent diseases caused by asbestos. It can be caused by long-term exposure to asbestos and is more serious than other types of asbestos-related disease. It can affect the lungs and, occasionally, other organs like the stomach or heart. It can also cause mesothelioma which is an uncommon cancer that affects the lungs lining.
Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It can be found in a number of different products and was extensively used in construction, but is now banned due to its negative effects.
Most people are not afflicted by low levels of airborne asbestos. People who do develop illness are often exposed to asbestos regularly during a specific job and for a prolonged period of time. The most frequent jobs that require 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 buildings. Some of the older household items like crayons and children’s toys, still contain asbestos.
All types of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most well-known type of asbestos. Crocidolite and amphibole are also forms of asbestos.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibres that become airborne and are inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers could become trapped in the lung. The asbestos fibres may cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This could result in mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other diseases that can take years to develop. Smoking and having a family history of asbestos-related diseases are two factors that increase your risk of developing.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used to manufacture insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. The fibers are later inhaled or swallowed which can lead to serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is a lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma usually affects the lung’s lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In certain cases it may also manifest in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos patients are more likely to develop mesothelioma as result of their exposure at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect because symptoms aren’t precise and can mimic symptoms of other diseases. Because of this, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.
A visit to your doctor is the first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma. The doctor will take a complete medical history and inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your are at a higher risk for the disease.
Your doctor will determine the kind of mesothelioma in your body when a mesothelioma diagnosis is made. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease, accounts to around 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma, which has epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma will help your doctor determine the best treatment options for you. Treatment can improve your odds of survival based on the type and the location of mesothelioma.