Types of Asbestos
All six types of asbestos naturally form bundles 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 used in a variety of products such as floor tiles, insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabrics.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, known as white asbestos was the most popular form of the mineral used in a myriad of products before it was banned in the 1980s. It was popular because it was fireproof, affordable and long-lasting. It was later discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to diseases like mesothelioma. While some countries still use asbestos, a total worldwide ban is needed now.
Health care professionals continue to warn that all kinds of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic and no amount of exposure is safe. However despite this, companies that mine and sell chrysotile assert that the asbestos they create is safer than earlier types of the mineral because it is tightly packed and non-friable.
This kind of asbestos is less hazardous than the amphibole varieties of asbestos, but it is still dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular type of asbestos mined and is the main cause of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile, a gold-colored brownish mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous minerals. Under an electron microscope the fibres look more like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that have been rolled in a spiral.
Chrysotile has been proven to be a cause of a variety of illnesses that include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. Those who work with chrysotile, are particularly susceptible to developing these illnesses because they are in constant contact with the mineral. Workers in construction or automobile repair are most likely to encounter Chrysotile asbestos because it was once quite well-known. It could be found in older houses and vehicles.
Amosite
Asbest is comprised of six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its particular chemical composition and characteristics and properties, but all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile is by far the most widely used asbestos type in the United States. It is still found today in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of commercial and residential properties. 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.
Inhaling any asbestos-related substance is dangerous. Exposure to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the most common way to be exposed to asbestos, however, it can also happen when working with or handling the asbestos fibres. The risk of exposure is particularly high when the asbestos is friable which means they can break easily and are then able to airborne as dust particles.
Friability is a function of the length and thickness of the fibers. Fibers that are longer and thinner are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate deeper into the lungs.
The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers work with or remove it. Asbestos is an extremely fine, crystallized material that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed, it may release small fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping motion can cause the fibres break up when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
In contrast to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibers that are brittle and more dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most common amphibole asbestos. However, they also exist in other forms like anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are usually found in natural deposits alongside chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are also contaminants in crocidolite deposits and may be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposit.
Asbestos is utilized in a myriad of products including asbestos cement pipes and sheets as well as friction materials for car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be woven into paper, fabric, mastics and threads or joined by Portland cement resins, plastics or. The length and size of the fibres determine the most appropriate application. The shortest fibres are generally used in electrical insulation, textiles and filters, whereas the longer fibres are employed in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, flooring and sheets.
Numerous studies have revealed a connection between exposure to asbestos and cancer of the stomach. These studies have varied results, but the conclusions are skewed due to the lack of research. In general the risk of developing stomach cancer is seen to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effect is diminished when the length of time prior to the first exposure is taken into consideration.
Other types of asbestos are involved in the development mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the abdominal lining and chest). It has been reported that children who are exposed to asbestos are more at chance of developing mesothelioma compared to adults. The reasons for this are not clear.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most frequent illnesses caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a prolonged period of time and is more dangerous than any other asbestos disease. It affects the lungs and sometimes other organs such as the heart, stomach and bladder. It could also cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.
Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It can be present in a variety of different products. It was previously extensively used in construction, but is now banned due to its negative effects.
Most people don't become ill from low levels of asbestos in the air. Those who do become sick are usually exposed to asbestos on a regular basis in a specific job, and over a long period of time. The most intense exposures tend to be found in occupations such as mining, shipbuilding construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have helped limit the use and presence of asbestos in construction sites. It is still in some older household products, such as crayons for children and toys.
All forms of asbestos could cause lung conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other illnesses. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized type of asbestos. yakima asbestos lawyer as well as Amphibole are types of asbestos.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres that are released into the air and can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres can become trapped deep within the lung. The asbestos fibers can cause scarring and inflammation of the lung. This could lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other diseases that can take many years to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking cigarettes and having an ancestor with the disease.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used for insulation or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. The fibers can be inhaled or swallowed and can trigger serious health issues like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that occurs in the organ's lining called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is typically found in the lung lining and abdomen. In certain cases it can also be found in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma may also affect family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma can be difficult identify because the symptoms aren't always specific and often resemble those of more common diseases. Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they need.
A mesothelioma diagnosis starts with a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your medical background as well as any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your are at an increased risk of contracting disease.
Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma that you have after a mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent type of the disease, accounts to around 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid aswell as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma will help your doctor determine the most appropriate treatment options for you. Treatment can increase your odds of surviving depending on the nature and the location of mesothelioma.