Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of asbestos naturally form bundles of durable and thin fibres. They are able to withstand fire, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They have a very high tensile as well as wear strength. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, including flooring tiles, insulation, paint and heat-resistant fabrics.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in 1980, Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most commonly used form of the mineral. It was due to its being cheap, durable and fireproof. It was discovered to be extremely harmful and connected to cancers like mesothelioma. While some countries still use asbestos, a total worldwide ban is needed now.

Health professionals continue to warn that all types 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 older forms of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and is non-friable.

This kind of asbestos is not as dangerous than amphibole asbestos types, but it is still hazardous for workers to work with. Chrysotile is the most commonly mined asbestos, and it is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases around the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous mineral which 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 has been shown to cause a variety of illnesses which include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer, and other respiratory issues. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal issues. Those who work with chrysotile are especially susceptible to developing these ailments because they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was previously widely used in auto and construction repair. It is often found in older homes and vehicles.

Amosite

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

Chrysotile is one of the most commonly used asbestos-related type found in the United States. It is still used in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of buildings and homes. It was also used in automobile brake linings, gaskets, boiler seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other asbestos products that contain chrysotile are shingles, cement sheets, and pipe insulation.

All types of asbestos can be dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is commonly caused by inhalation, but can also be caused through handling or working with fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly dangerous if materials are friable. This means that they are susceptible to crumbling easily and turn into dust particles that are airborne.

Friability is dependent on the thickness of the fibres and their length. Thicker and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate into the lungs, while shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do this.

The most common way to expose workers to asbestos is by taking it off or handling asbestos. This is due to asbestos being a very fine material and may be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is vacuumed or swept, it may release small fibres into the air. This is because sweeping can cause fibres to break up and vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos is different from serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres which are brittle. They are also more dangerous to inhale. Crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most popular amphibole asbestos. However, it can it can also be found in different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos can be found in natural deposits containing Chrysotile. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos found in the deposit.

Asbestos is found in many products, including asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction materials used for coatings, brakes, and gaskets. The fibres are weaved into paper, fabric thread, mastics, 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.

Numerous studies have proven the connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The results of these studies differ however the conclusions are limited by the limited literature on the subject. The risk of developing stomach cancer appears to increase as a result of increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the effects are diminished when the length of time prior to the first exposure is considered.

Other types of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the abdomen's lining and chest). Children who are exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons behind this are not known.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common asbestos-related illness. It can be caused by exposure to long-term asbestos, and is usually more severe than other forms of asbestos disease. It affects the lungs, and sometimes other organs such as the stomach, the heart, and bladder. 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 variety of different products and was once extensively used in construction but has since been banned due to its ill effects.

Most people are not afflicted by low levels of asbestos in the air. People who do get sick are often exposed to asbestos on a regular basis during a specific job and for a long amount of time. The heaviest exposures tend to be in jobs such as shipbuilding, mining construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government have reduced the use of asbestos and it is now used in fewer structures. Certain household items from the past like crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos could cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Crocidolite as well as Amphibole are kinds of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing material is disturbed, microscopic fibres are released into the air and may be inhaled. These fibres may get caught inside the lungs if inhaled. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This can result in mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other illnesses that may take many years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking and having an ancestor with the condition.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used in the manufacturing of insulation or in the construction of homes it releases tiny asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers can be inhaled or swallowed and can trigger serious health problems like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium, the lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma can be found in the lung linings and the abdomen. In some cases, it could also develop on the tissue of the heart or testicles.

Asbestos sufferers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of their exposure at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose because symptoms aren't specific and frequently resemble symptoms of more common diseases. Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and victims may not get the treatment they need.

A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. The doctor will inquire about your medical background including any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if you're a higher risk for the disease.

Your doctor will determine the type of mesothelioma you suffer from after a mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma has been identified as the most commonly encountered form of the disease, accounting for around 80% of all mesothelioma diagnosis each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma, which has epithelioid aswell as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the best course of action for you depending on the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can increase your chances of surviving, depending on the nature and the location of your mesothelioma.