Types of Asbestos
All six types of asbestos are naturally formed as strings of pliable and durable fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire, chemicals and electrical conductivity. They have a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos is used in a variety of products, including floor tiles and insulation, paint, and heat-resistant fabric.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos was the most popular type of mineral used in a variety of products prior to its ban in the 1980s. It was used because it was affordable, fireproof and durable. It was later discovered to be extremely harmful and connected to mesothelioma-related diseases. While some countries continue to employ asbestos, a complete global ban is now needed.
Health experts continue to warn that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile. carcinogenic, and that any amount of exposure can be considered safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is more safe than the older forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packaged and non-friable.
This type of asbestos is less hazardous than the amphibole varieties of asbestos however it is hazardous for people to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular kind of asbestos mined and is the main cause of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous mineral which appears like threads and feels soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibres look more like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that have been rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile has been found to be the cause of many ailments, including pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other respiratory issues. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal issues. People who work with chrysotile are particularly at risk for developing these diseases since they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was previously widely used in construction and auto repair. It is found in older homes and vehicles.
Amosite
Asbest is composed of six types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has a distinct chemical composition and physical properties. However all six are associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and Tremolite.
Chrysotile is the most popular type of asbestos in the United States. It can still be found in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of businesses and homes. It was also used for gaskets, thermal insulation, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.
All types of asbestos are harmful if inhaled. Any exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other disorders of the pleura. Exposure to asbestos is most often caused by breathing, however, it can also be caused by working or handling asbestos fibres. The risk of exposure is particularly high when the fibres are friable that is to say they break down easily and are then able to airborne as dust particles.
Friability is a function length and the thickness of the fibers. The longer and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate into the lungs, whereas thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do this.
Exposure to asbestos occurs most often when workers work with or remove it. This is due to asbestos being a very fine material and may be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed it can release tiny fibres into the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping can cause the fibres break apart when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
In contrast to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibres which are brittle and more hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most popular forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These asbestos types can be found in natural deposits that contain chrysotile. It is believed that the other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos found in the deposits.
Asbestos is found in many products, including asbestos cement pipe sheets, sheets, friction material used in coatings, brakes, and gaskets. The fibres can be weaved into fabrics, paper, mastics and thread or bound with Portland cement resins, plastics, or resins. The size and length of the fibres determine the best application. The shorter fibres can be utilized for electrical insulation, filters and flooring, while longer fibres are used for asbestos sheets, cement pipes, and flooring.
A variety of studies have found a link between asbestos exposure and cancer of the stomach. The results of these studies differ however, and the conclusions are influenced by the comparatively limited literature on this topic. Generally speaking, the risk of stomach cancer appears to increase with increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the impact is diminished when consideration of latency since first exposure is taken into account.
Other forms of asbestos are implicated in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the abdomen's lining and chest). Children who are exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reason for this is not known.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one the most prevalent illnesses caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a long period of time and is more serious than any other asbestos related disease. It can affect the lungs, and sometimes other organs, such as the heart or stomach. It could also cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos belongs to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It can be found in a variety of different products. It was previously extensively used in construction, but has since been banned due to its harmful effects.
Most people don't become sick from the low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those that get sick are typically exposed frequently to asbestos while working in a particular job, and usually for a longer period of time. The most severe exposures tend to be those in positions such as mining, shipbuilding as well as construction and insulation. In recent years, federal regulations have helped limit the use and amount of asbestos in buildings. Some household products from the past like crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.
All types of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most well-known type of asbestos. Crocidolite and amphibole are also types of asbestos.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled. These fibres could get trapped within the lungs when breathed in. The asbestos fibres may cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. skokie asbestos lawsuit could result in lung cancer mesothelioma, mesothelioma or other diseases which can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking cigarettes and having a family history of the disease.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the manufacturing of insulation or in the construction of homes and buildings, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into air. Those fibers can then be swallowed or inhaled and cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is the lining which protects organs. Mesothelioma tends to be found in the linings of the lungs and abdomen. In certain cases, it may also affect the linings of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos patients are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It can be difficult to determine mesothelioma since the symptoms aren't specific and are often similar to symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed, and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with visiting your doctor. The doctor will take an exhaustive medical history and ask about your prior asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if you're at a higher risk for the disease.
Once the mesothelioma-related diagnosis is made, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma you have. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease, accounts for about 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic cancers that contain epithelioid aswell as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you according to the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can improve your odds of survival, based on the type and the location of your mesothelioma.