Types of Asbestos
All six kinds of amorphous asbestos can be found in nature as a bundle of thin and durable fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire, chemicals and electrical conductivity. They possess a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos is a component in many products such as floor tiles, insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabric.
Chrysotile
Before it was banned in 1980, Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most widely used form of the mineral. It was due to its being affordable, durable, and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely harmful and was linked to mesothelioma and other illnesses. While some countries still employ asbestos, a complete worldwide ban is needed now.
Health care professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile. carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered to be safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is more safe than older forms of the mineral, because it's a tightly packed and is non-friable.
This type of asbestos is less dangerous than the amphibole types of asbestos, but it is still dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used kind of asbestos mined and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases across the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral that looks like threads and is soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibres look more like tubes and are made up of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in a spiral.
Chrysotile has been shown to cause a variety of diseases, including pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and other respiratory issues. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. Those who work with chrysotile, are particularly at risk for developing these diseases since they are in constant contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was previously widely used in auto and construction repair. It can be found in older houses and vehicles.
Amosite
There are six types of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has a distinct chemical composition and physical properties. However each of them is linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos) as well as crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and tremolite.
Chrysotile is one of the most commonly used kind of asbestos found in the United States. It is still present in the roofs, walls and floors of many businesses and homes. It is also used in automotive brake gaskets, linings, boiler seals and thermal insulation. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.
Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is dangerous. The exposure to asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural diseases and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the most common way to be exposed to asbestos, however it can also happen when working or handling the fibres. The risk of exposure is particularly high when the materials are brittle which means they can break easily and are then able to airborne as dust particles.
Friability is a function of length and thickness of the fibers. The longer and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs, while shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do so.
The most common exposure to asbestos is often when workers handle or remove it. Asbestos is an extremely fine, crystal-like material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it may release tiny fibres into air. This is because sweeping may cause fibres to break when vacuuming them, whereas sweeping causes them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos is different from serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) has long, straight fibres that are fragile. They are also more harmful to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) as well as amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most popular amphibole asbestos. However, they it can also be found in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos are found in natural deposits that contain chrysotile. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile within the deposit.
Asbestos is utilized in a variety of items including asbestos cement sheets and pipes and friction materials used in car brakes, gaskets, and coatings. The fibres are made into fabric, paper, thread, mastics or bound with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres determine the most appropriate application. The shorter fibres can be used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters, and flooring, while the longer ones are used for asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.
Numerous studies have shown that asbestos exposure is linked to and stomach cancer. The findings of these studies differ, however, and the conclusions are limited by the limited literature on this topic. In general, the risk of developing stomach cancer appears to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The effect is reduced when the latency of the first exposure is taken into account.
Other forms of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant cancer that affects the abdomen's lining and chest). It has been reported that children exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than adults. The reason for this is not understood.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most frequently-assuaged ailments caused by asbestos. It is caused by long-term exposure to asbestos and is typically more severe than other forms of asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs, and sometimes other organs such as the stomach, the heart and bladder. It is also a cause of mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lung.
Asbestos is comprised of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It can be found in a number of different products. It was once extensively used in construction however, it has been withdrawn due to its harmful effects.
Most people don't become sick from a small amount of asbestos in the air. People who do get sick are often exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific job, and over a long period of time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In cambridge asbestos lawsuit , government regulations have helped to limit the use of asbestos and it is now used in fewer structures. Some of the older household items like crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.
All types of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized kind of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and may be inhaled. When inhaled, the fibres may become trapped deep inside the lungs. The asbestos fibres may cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This can result in mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other illnesses that may take years to develop. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking and having a family history of the disease.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the manufacture of insulation or in the construction of homes it releases tiny asbestos fibers into the air. The fibers can be inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health issues like mesothelioma.
The mesothelium, the lining that protects organs. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances, it can also develop in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of exposure 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 other diseases. Because of this, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they require.
A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will collect a complete medical history and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your likelihood of developing the disease is greater.
Once the mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will determine the type of mesothelioma is present. Pleural mesothelioma has been identified as the most commonly encountered form of the disease, accounting for around 80percent of all mesothelioma-related diagnoses every year. The other two types are peritoneal and a rare biphasic variant of mesothelioma. It is composed of both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. The type of mesothelioma that you are diagnosed with will aid your doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment options for you. Treatment may increase your chance of surviving, depending on the nature and the location of your mesothelioma.