Types of Asbestos
All six kinds of asbestos naturally form strings of pliable and durable fibres. They are resistant against chemical, heat, fire and electrical conductivity. They have a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos has been used in a wide range of products like flooring tiles, insulation paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile is 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 this because it was inexpensive, durable and fireproof. It was found to be extremely harmful and connected to cancers like mesothelioma. Some countries still employ asbestos, but a worldwide ban is needed.
Health professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile is carcinogenic, and that no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. However despite this, the companies that extract and sell chrysotile have claimed that the asbestos they make is safer than older types of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and not flammable.
While this form of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos, it's nevertheless a danger to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used type of asbestos mined, and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous material that appears like threads and is soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope the fibers appear more like tubes and are a combination of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile is known to cause numerous illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease. Those who work with chrysotile have a greater chance of being susceptible to developing these diseases since they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was once widely used in construction and automobile repair. It could be found in older buildings and vehicles.
Amosite
Asbest is made up of six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has a distinct chemical composition and physical properties. However, all six are linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. These include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile, crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, Tremolite anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile is one of the most commonly used asbestos-related type found in the United States. It can still be found in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of commercial and residential properties. It was also used in automotive brake linings, gaskets, boiler seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile are shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.
honolulu asbestos lawsuit of asbestos can be dangerous if inhaled. Inhaling asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the most common method of exposure to asbestos, however it can also occur when working with or handling the asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly dangerous when the asbestos is friable, which means they crumble easily and are then able to airborne as dust particles.
Friability is related to the thickness of the fibres and their length. The longer and more dense fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate deeply into the lungs.
The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers work with or remove it. Asbestos is an extremely fine, crystallized substance that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed it can release tiny fibres into the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping could cause the fibres to break up, while vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
Unlike the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibres which are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and Crocidolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These asbestos types can be found in natural deposits along with Chrysotile. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite and mixed with chrysotile to form a deposit.
Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, including asbestos cement pipe sheets, friction materials used for coatings, brakes for cars, and gaskets. The fibres are woven into paper, fabric, thread, mastics, or bonded with Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the most appropriate application. The shorter fibres are commonly used in electrical insulation, textiles and filters. On the other hand, the longer fibres are used in asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.
A variety of studies have suggested a link between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. These studies yield varied results however, the conclusions aren't as conclusive due to the absence of research. In general the risk of developing stomach cancer is likely to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effects are diminished when the length of time in the time since first exposure is taken into consideration.
Other forms of asbestos have been implicated in the formation of mesothelioma an aggressive cancer that affects the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). It has been observed that children who are exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reasons for this are not understood.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most common asbestos-related disease. It is caused by asbestos exposure over a long time, and is more serious than any other asbestos related disease. It can affect the lungs, and sometimes other organs, such as the heart or stomach. It is also a cause of mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos consists of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is present in a variety of different products and was extensively used in construction, however, it has been withdrawn due to its ill effects.
Most people are not afflicted by low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those that do become ill are usually exposed regularly to asbestos in a specific job and often for a prolonged time. The most severe exposures tend to be those in positions such as shipbuilding, mining construction, and insulation. In recent years, regulations from the government helped to limit the use and amount of asbestos in buildings. However, it is still present in older household products such as crayons and toys for children.
All types of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most well-known type of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres which become airborne and can be inhaled. These fibres can get trapped in the lungs when inhaled. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could cause mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other diseases that can take a long time to develop. Smoking and having a family history of asbestos-related diseases are two factors that increase the risk.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used for insulation or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. These fibers can be breathed in or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems like mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is the lining which protects organs. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the tissues of the lungs and abdomen. In some instances, it may also affect the linings of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms aren't always specific and often mimic those of other diseases. Mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they require.
A mesothelioma diagnosis starts with visiting your doctor. Your doctor will take a complete medical history and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if the risk of developing the disease is greater.
Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma in your body once a mesothelioma is diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most prevalent type of the disease, accounts for approximately 80% of mesothelioma diagnosis every year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma that contains epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment option for you depending on the type of mesothelioma. Based on the location you live in and the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from, treatment may improve your chances of surviving.