Types of Asbestos

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

Chrysotile

Chrysotile, known as white asbestos was the most commonly used form of the mineral that was used in thousands of different products prior to its ban in the 1980s. This was because it was affordable, durable and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely risky and associated with mesothelioma as well as other illnesses. Certain countries still make use of asbestos, however a global ban is needed.

Health professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and that any amount of exposure can be considered safe. However despite this, businesses who mine and sell chrysotile assert that the asbestos they mine is safer than older types of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and unfriable.

Although this kind of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos it is still dangerous to handle. Chrysotile is the most frequently mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases around the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous mineral that looks like threads and feels soft to the touch. Through electron microscopy, the fibres appear like tubes. They are actually a combination structural layers of the minerals rolled into spiral form.

Chrysotile is known to trigger numerous illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. People who work with chrysotile, are particularly susceptible to developing these diseases because they are exposed to the mineral. People who work in construction or automobile repair are most likely to come across Chrysotile asbestos as it was once very popular. It is found in older houses and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is made from six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties however, all six are linked to increased risk of mesothelioma. This includes amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile, the crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.

Chrysotile is the most popular kind of asbestos found in the United States. It can still be found in the walls, roofs and floors of many businesses and homes. It was also used as gaskets, thermal insulation and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos compensation products that contain chrysotile are shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.

Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is dangerous. Any exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other disorders of the pleura. Exposure to asbestos is typically caused by inhalation but it can also be triggered through the handling or work with fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly risky if the material is friable. This means that they are prone to break down easily and become airborne dust particles.

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

The most common method to expose workers to asbestos is by working with or removing asbestos. This is because asbestos is a fine material 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 tiny fibres in the air. This is because a sweeping process could cause the fibres to break up and vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

In contrast to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibres which are brittle and more hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos. However, it can it can also be found in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos are typically found in natural deposits alongside chrysotile asbestos compensation. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, including asbestos cement pipe sheets, sheets, friction materials used in coatings, car brakes and gaskets. The fibres can be woven into fabrics, paper, mastics and thread or tied with Portland cement resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the best application. The shorter fibres are utilized for electrical insulation, filters and flooring, while the longer ones are utilized for asbestos cement pipes, sheets, and flooring.

Numerous studies have revealed a connection between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. The results of these studies differ however the conclusions are influenced by the relatively sparse literature on this topic. In general, the risk of stomach cancer is likely to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the risk is lessened when the latency prior to the first exposure is considered.

Other forms of asbestos have been implicated in the development of mesothelioma an aggressive cancer that affects the abdomen and chest (Mesothelioma). It has been found that children who are exposed to asbestos are at greater risk for developing mesothelioma than adults. The reasons behind this are not understood.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is among the most frequently-assuaged cancers caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos for a long time and is more severe than any other asbestos-related disease. It can affect the lungs, and occasionally other organs such as the stomach or the heart. It may also cause mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It can be present in a variety of different products and was once extensively used in construction but has now been banned due to its ill effects.

Most people aren't ill from low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who do develop illness are typically exposed on a regular basis to asbestos while working in a particular job, and often for a prolonged period of time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government have reduced the use of asbestos and it is now used in fewer buildings. Some of the older household items like crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.

All forms of asbestos can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres that are released into the air and can be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped inside the lungs if inhaled. The asbestos fibres can then cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This could cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other illnesses that may take years to develop. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking and having an ancestor asbestos with the condition.

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 conditions like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that develops in the organ's lining, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In certain cases, it can also develop in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos sufferers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as result of exposure at work. Mesothelioma also can affect family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because symptoms aren't specific and often resemble those of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.

A visit to your doctor is the first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will collect an exhaustive medical history and ask about your prior asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.

Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is established, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma that you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease, accounts to around 80 percent of mesothelioma cases each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma, which has epithelioid aswell as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment for you depending on the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can increase your odds of surviving, depending on the type and the location of mesothelioma.