Types of Asbestos
All six kinds of asbestos are found naturally in bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant to heat, chemicals, fire and electrical conductivity. They possess a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products including floor tiles, insulation, paint and heat-resistant fabrics.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, was the most common form of the mineral used in thousands of different products prior to its ban in the 1980s. It was used because it was affordable, fireproof and durable. It was discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma and other cancers. Certain countries continue to use asbestos, but a worldwide ban is required.
Health care professionals are continuing to warn that all types of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and no amount of exposure is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's health is better than earlier forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and non-friable.
Although this kind of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos, it is still a risk 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 feels soft to the touch. When examined with electron microscopy the fibres appear more like tubes. They are actually composed of structural layers of the minerals formed into spirals.
Chrysotile is known to cause numerous diseases, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease. These ailments are more common among those who work with chrysotile due to of their prolonged contact with it. Asbestos chrysotile was once widely employed in the construction industry and auto repair. It is found in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used to make asbestos. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties, but all six are linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used asbestos type in the United States. Many homes and businesses still have it in their walls, roofs and floors. It was also used as thermal insulation, gaskets, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.
All types of asbestos can be dangerous when inhaled. The exposure to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is most often caused by breathing, however, it can also be caused by handling or working with fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly hazardous when materials are fragile. This means they are prone to break down easily and eventually, they can become airborne dust particles.
Friability is a function of the length and the thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibers are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate into the lungs.
bloomington asbestos attorney to expose workers to asbestos is through working with or removing it. This is because asbestos is a very fine material and may be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it could release tiny fibres into the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping could cause the fibres to break apart when vacuuming them, while causing them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) is composed of long straight fibres, which are brittle. They are also more dangerous to inhale. Crocidolite, amosite and tremolite are the most popular forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These kinds of asbestos are often found in natural deposits alongside chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits, and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos found in the deposit.
Asbestos can be found in many products, including asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction materials used for coatings, brakes, and gaskets. The fibres are woven into paper, fabric thread, mastics or bound with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determines the best application. The shorter fibres can be used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, while the longer ones are utilized for asbestos sheets, pipes, and flooring.
Numerous studies have revealed the connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The results of these studies are varied however the conclusions are limited due to the lack of research. In general, the risk of stomach cancer is believed to increase with the increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the effects are diminished when consideration of latency from the first exposure is taken into account.
Other types of asbestos have been implicated in the development of mesothelioma an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). It has been reported that children exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma compared to adults. The reasons for this are not clear.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most prevalent asbestos-related illness. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, and is usually more serious than other types of asbestos-related illnesses. It affects the lungs, and occasionally other organs, such as the heart, stomach and bladder. It may also cause mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is comprised of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It was widely used in construction and can be found in a myriad of products.
Most people do not get sick from a low amount of asbestos in the air. Those who do become sick are often exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific occupation and over a long period of time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, government regulations have helped limit the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. It is still found in older household products, such as crayons and toys for kids.
All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and could be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres may become trapped deep inside the lungs. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could cause lung cancer mesothelioma and other illnesses that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking cigarettes and having a family history of the condition.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used to manufacture insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. The fibers can be taken in by swallowing or inhalation, leading to serious health problems like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the organ's lining, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma typically affects the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances, it may also be found on the tissues of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos victims are most likely to develop mesothelioma as a consequence of exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma may also affect family members of asbestos workers. It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since the symptoms aren't distinct and often resemble those of other diseases. Mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed and victims may not get the treatment they need.
A mesothelioma diagnosis starts with a visit to your doctor. The doctor will take your medical history in detail and ask about your prior asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your are at an increased risk for contracting the disease.
Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from when a mesothelioma diagnosis is made. Pleural mesothelioma has been identified as the most commonly encountered form of the disease, and accounts for around 80% of all mesothelioma-related diagnoses every year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma that contains epithelioid, as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the best course of action for you depending on the type of mesothelioma. Based on your location as well as the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment may increase your chances of surviving.