Types of Asbestos
The six varieties of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as bundles of fine and durable fibres. They are resistant against fire, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength. Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products including flooring tiles, insulation, paints and heat-resistant fabric.
Chrysotile
Before it was banned in the year 1980 Chrysotile (also known as white asbestos) was the most widely used form of the mineral. It was due to its being affordable, durable and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely risky and associated with mesothelioma, as well as other diseases. Certain countries continue to use asbestos but a global ban is needed.
Health professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. However despite this, businesses that mine and sell chrysotile assert that the asbestos they produce is more safe than older forms of the mineral due to the fact that it is tightly packed and non-friable.
While this form of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos but it is still dangerous to handle. Chrysotile is the most commonly mined asbestos and the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous material that appears like threads, and feels soft to the touch. Through electron microscopy, the fibres appear more like tubes. They are actually a combination of structural layers of minerals that have been rolled into spiral form.
Chrysotile is known to cause numerous diseases, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. These ailments are more common for those who work with chrysotile because of their constant exposure to it. Asbestos chrysotile was once widely used in auto and construction repair. It may be present in older homes and vehicles.
Amosite
Asbest is made from six different types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and physical properties. However, 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 is by far the most widely used asbestos type in the United States. Numerous homes and businesses have it on their walls, roofs, and floors. It was also used in automotive brake gaskets, linings, boiler seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile are cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.
Inhaling asbestos in any form is hazardous. Exposure to any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other disorders of the pleura. Inhalation is the primary way to be exposed to asbestos. However, it is also possible to be exposed by handling or working with the fibers. Exposure is especially dangerous when the fibres are friable, which means they crumble easily and are then able to airborne as dust particles.
Friability is dependent on the thickness of the fibres and their length. Longer and thicker fibres are more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs, whereas 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 a very fine, crystalline material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When tacoma asbestos attorney is swept away or vacuumed it can release small fibres in the air. This is because sweeping can cause fibres to break while vacuuming causes them stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
As opposed to serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibres which are more fragile and hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most popular amphibole asbestos, but also exist in different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are commonly found in natural deposits, along with the chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite deposits and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos in the deposits.
Asbestos is used in a variety of products including asbestos cement sheets and pipes and friction materials used in car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are woven into paper, fabric thread, mastics, or bonded with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the best 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 demonstrated the connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. These studies have varied results however the conclusions are skewed due to the absence of evidence. In general, the risk of developing stomach cancer is likely to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the impact is reduced when the time prior to the first exposure is taken into account.
Other forms of asbestos are implicated in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the abdominal lining and chest). It has been observed that children who are exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than adults. The reasons for this are not clear.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one the most frequent ailments caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a long period of time and is more severe than any other asbestos related disease. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs like the stomach, heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma - an uncommon cancer that affects lungs the lining.
Asbestos is composed of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is found in a number of different products. It was once extensively used in construction but has since been banned because of its negative effects.
Most people are not affected by low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who do develop illness are typically exposed frequently to asbestos while working in a particular job and often for a long period of time. The most severe exposures tend to be found in occupations such as mining, shipbuilding as well as construction and insulation. In recent years, regulations from the government have reduced the use of asbestos, and it is now found in fewer structures. Some older household products, such as crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.
All types of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most widely recognised form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed microscopic fibres release into the air, and they can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers could become trapped in the lung. The asbestos fibres can then cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could result in lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other illnesses that can take years to develop. Smoking and having a family background of asbestos-related illnesses are other factors which increase your risk of developing.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the manufacturing of insulation or in the construction of homes, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into air. The fibers can be inhaled, or swallowed and cause serious health problems like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that occurs in the lining of organs known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can be found in the lung lining and abdomen. In certain cases it may also manifest in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma owing to exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can also affect the family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose because symptoms aren't specific and often resemble those of more common diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with a visit to your doctor. The doctor will take an exhaustive medical history and ask about your past asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your likelihood of developing the disease is greater.
When the mesothelioma diagnose is made, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma you have. Pleural mesothelioma (the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts for about 80% of mesothelioma-related diagnoses each year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic version of mesothelioma. It is composed of both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. The type of mesothelioma will help your doctor decide on the best treatment options for you. Based on the location you live in and the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment can increase your chances of survival.