Types of Asbestos

The six varieties of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as bundles of thin and durable fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire chemical and electrical conductivity. They also have excellent tensile strength and wear. Asbestos is used in a variety of products including floor tiles, insulation, paint, and fabric that is heat-resistant.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile also known as white asbestos was the most commonly used form of the mineral that was used in a myriad of products prior to its ban in the 1980s. It was this because 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 use asbestos, but a global ban is required.

Health professionals continue to warn that all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic and no amount of exposure is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is safer than the older forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and non-friable.

While this form of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole brazil asbestos, it is nevertheless a danger to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular kind of asbestos mined and is the main cause of mesothelioma cancer cases around the world. Chrysotile which is a brownish golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous rock. Under an electron microscope, the fibers appear more like tubes and are a result of structural layers of the mineral that have been rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile is known to cause numerous illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and digestive issues. Those who work with chrysotile have a greater chance of being susceptible to developing these illnesses because they are in constant contact with the mineral. Those who work in construction and auto repair are the most likely to come across chrysotile asbestos because it was once a popular. It is often found in older buildings and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is composed of six different kinds of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its particular chemical composition and characteristics however, all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and tremolite.

Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular form of asbestos in the United States. Many homes and Vimeo businesses have it in their walls, roofs and floors. It was also used for gaskets, thermal insulation, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.

Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is hazardous. The exposure to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the most common route of exposure to asbestos, however, it can also occur while working with or handling the asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly hazardous when the materials are brittle which means they break easily and may be inhaled as dust particles.

Friability is related to the size of the fibres as well as 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 remove or handle it. This is due to asbestos being a very fine substance and can be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed it may release tiny fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping motion can cause the fibres break apart and vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres which are soft and brittle. They are also more dangerous to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and Vimeo tremolite (red asbestos) are the most common amphibole asbestos, but also exist in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are found in natural deposits with Chrysotile. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite and mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos is present in a variety of products, such as asbestos cement pipe sheets, sheets, friction material used in coatings, brakes for cars, and gaskets. The fibres are made into paper, fabric, mastics, thread, or bound with Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the best application. The shorter fibres are typically used in textiles, electrical insulation and filters. The longer fibres are utilized in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, flooring and sheets.

Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The outcomes of these studies are varied, however, and the conclusions are limited by the relatively sparse literature on the subject. Generally, the risk for stomach cancer is believed to increase with increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the risk is lessened when the latency prior to the first exposure is taken into account.

Other types of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the abdominal lining and chest). Children who have been exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reason for this is not known.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most prevalent asbestos-related disease. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and is more severe than other forms of asbestos-related disease. It can affect the lungs and, occasionally, other organs like the heart or stomach. It can also cause mesothelioma - an uncommon cancer that affects lung lining.

Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is found in a number of different products. It was once extensively used in construction, but is now banned due to its harmful effects.

Most people aren't affected by low levels of asbestos in the air. People who do develop illness are usually exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific job, and for a long period of time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government allowed for the reduction of the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. Some older household products like crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.

All types of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly recognised type of asbestos. Crocidolite and amphibole are also types of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing material is disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and could be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers can be trapped deep within the lung. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma as well as other diseases which can take years to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family history of asbestos-related ailments are additional factors that increase the chance of developing.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used in the production of insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. The fibers are later taken in by swallowing or inhalation and can cause serious health problems like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that grows in the lining of organs, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma usually affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In certain cases, it may also affect the linings of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma owing to exposure to asbestos at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may be difficult to detect because symptoms aren't precise and can mimic symptoms of more common diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and victims may not get the treatment they need.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with an appointment with your doctor. The doctor will inquire about your medical history as well as any asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if your chance of developing the disease is higher.

Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will determine which type of mesothelioma that you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of this disease and accounts for approximately 88% of all mesothelioma diagnosis each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid, as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on the type of mesothelioma. Based on your location as well as the type of mesothelioma, treatment can help increase the chances of survival.