Types of Asbestos

All six types of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as a bundle of thin fibrous fibres that are durable. They are resistant to heat, fire chemicals, electrical conductivity and chemical vapors. They possess a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, including floor tiles and 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 frequently used form of the mineral. This was because it was inexpensive, durable and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely risky and linked to mesothelioma and other illnesses. While some countries still use asbestos, a total worldwide ban is needed now.

Health professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and that no amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than other versions of the mineral because it is tightly packed and non-friable.

This type of asbestos is less dangerous than the amphibole varieties of asbestos however, it is hazardous for workers to work with. Chrysotile, the most widely mined asbestos, and it is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases around the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral that looks like threads, and feels 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 have been rolled in spiral form.

Chrysotile is known to trigger numerous illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular disease. These ailments are more common in those who work with chrysotile due to of their long-term exposure to it. Asbestos was once widely employed in the construction industry and auto repair. It is found in older houses and vehicles.

Amosite

There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used to make asbestos. Each mineral has a distinct chemical composition and physical properties. However, all six are associated with a higher risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.

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

All types of asbestos can be dangerous if inhaled. The exposure to any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other disorders of the pleura. Inhalation is by far the most common method of exposure to asbestos, but it is also possible to be exposed by working with or handling fibers. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly hazardous if the materials are friable which means they can break easily and may be inhaled as dust particles.

Friability is a function of the length and thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibers are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate deeper into the lungs.

The most frequent method to expose workers to asbestos is through handling or removing asbestos. This is because asbestos is a fine material and can be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it can release tiny fibres into air. This is due to the fact that sweeping can cause the fibres break apart when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.

Crocidolite

As opposed to serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole has long, straight chain-like fibres, which are more brittle and dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most popular amphibole asbestos. However, they also exist in different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos are found in natural deposits with chrysotile. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are also contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos in the deposit.

Asbestos is found in a variety products, including asbestos cement pipes, sheets, friction materials used for car brakes, coatings, and gaskets. The fibres are made into fabric, paper, thread, mastics, or bound by Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the best application. The shorter fibres are commonly used in textiles, electrical insulation and filters; while the longer fibres are employed in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, and flooring.

Numerous studies have proven an association between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. These studies have varied results, but the conclusions aren't as conclusive because of the absence of literature. The risk of developing cancer of the stomach appears to increase with increasing cumulative exposure to asbestos. The risk is decreased when the time from the initial exposure is taken into account.

Other types of asbestos have been implicated in the development of mesothelioma, a malignant tumour that affects the lining of the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). It has been found that children who are exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma than adults. The reasons for this are not understood.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is among the most common diseases caused by asbestos. It is caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, and is usually more severe than other forms of asbestos-related diseases. It affects the lungs and sometimes other organs such as the stomach, heart, and bladder. It could also cause mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lung.

Asbestos belongs to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It can be present in a variety of different products and was widely 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. Those who do become sick are usually exposed to asbestos regularly during a specific job and for a prolonged period of time. The heaviest exposures tend to be found in occupations such as mining, shipbuilding construction, and insulation. In recent years, regulations from the government have helped to limit the use of asbestos and it is now present in fewer buildings. Certain household items from the past, such as crayons and toys for children still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Crocidolite and Amphibole are both types of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled. When inhaled, the fibres can become trapped deep within the lung. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This could lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other conditions that take a long time to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking and having a family history of the condition.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used in the production of insulation or in the construction of homes, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into air. These fibers are then taken in by swallowing or inhalation and can cause serious health issues like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is a lining that protects organs. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lung linings and the abdomen. In certain cases, it can also develop in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos patients are more likely to develop mesothelioma as result of their exposure at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is often difficult to identify mesothelioma because the symptoms aren't distinct and can be similar to those of other diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and victims may not get the treatment they require.

A visit to your doctor is the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will collect an exhaustive medical history and inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if your risk of developing the disease is greater.

After the mesothelioma diagnosis has been established, your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma is present. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts for about 80% of mesothelioma-related diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic cancers that contain epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will decide the best course of action for you in light of the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can improve your odds of survival, based on the nature and location of mesothelioma.