Types of Asbestos
All six types of asbestos are found naturally in bundles of durable and thin fibres. They are resistant to flames, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding tensile strength and wear. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products such as floor tiles, insulation, paint, and fabric that is heat-resistant.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos was the most widely used form of the mineral used in thousands of different products prior to its ban in the 1980s. It was due to its being inexpensive, durable and fireproof. However, it was found to be extremely dangerous and associated with mesothelioma as well as other illnesses. Some countries still use asbestos, but a global ban is required.
Health professionals continue to warn that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic and no amount of exposure is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is more safe than earlier forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packaged and non-friable.
While this form of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos but it is still a risk to handle. Chrysotile, the most widely mined asbestos and is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases around the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral which appears like threads and is soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope the fibers appear like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile has been found to cause a variety of diseases that include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer, and other respiratory issues. It has also been linked to digestive problems and cardiovascular disease. People 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 construction and auto repair. palm coast asbestos lawyer is found in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
Asbest is made from six different kinds of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties and all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used asbestos type in the United States. It is still found today in the roofs, walls and floors of many buildings and homes. It was also used for thermal insulation, gaskets, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include shingles, cement sheet and pipe insulation.
Inhaling asbestos in any form is risky. Inhaling any form of asbestos can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma and other lung diseases. Exposure to asbestos is often caused by inhalation, but it is also caused by handling or working with fibres. The exposure to asbestos is especially dangerous if materials are friable. This means they can crumble easily, and then become dust particles in the air.
Friability is determined by the fibrillar thickness and their length. The longer and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate into the lungs, whereas shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do this.
The most popular method to expose workers to asbestos is by taking it off or handling asbestos. This is due to asbestos being an extremely fine material that can be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is vacuumed or swept it could release small fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping process can cause the fibres to break apart when vacuuming them, while causing them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) has long straight fibres that are brittle. They are also more dangerous to inhale. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most commonly used forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These kinds of asbestos can be found in natural deposits along with Chrysotile. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are also contaminants in crocidolite deposits and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposits.
Asbestos can be found in many products, including asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction material used in car brakes, coatings, and gaskets. The fibres are made into paper, fabric, mastics, thread, or bound with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the best application. The shorter fibres are commonly employed in textiles, electrical insulation and filters. On the other hand, the longer fibres are utilized in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, flooring and sheets.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The outcomes of these studies are varied, however, and the conclusions are limited by the relatively sparse literature on the subject. In general the risk of stomach cancer is likely to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The effect is reduced when latency from the first exposure is taken into consideration.
Other types of asbestos have been linked in the development of mesothelioma, a malignant tumor that affects the lining of the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). Children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons are unknown.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one the most common cancers caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to long-term asbestos, and is usually more severe than other forms of asbestos-related disease. It can affect the lungs and sometimes other organs like the stomach or heart. It can also cause mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is found in a variety of different products. It was once widely used in construction but has since been banned because of its negative effects.
The majority of people are not affected by the low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who get sick are typically exposed on a regular basis to asbestos while working in a particular job and often for a prolonged time. The most severe exposures tend to be those in positions like shipbuilding, mining as well as construction and insulation. In recent years, government regulations helped to limit the use and prevalence of asbestos in construction sites. Some household products from the past, such as crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.
All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized form of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres which become airborne and can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers can become trapped deep within the lung. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This can result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma, mesothelioma or other illnesses that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking and having a family history of the condition.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the production of insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. The fibers are later taken in by swallowing or inhalation which can lead to serious health problems like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lining of organs, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is most often affecting the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances, it may also affect the tissues of the heart, or testicles.
Asbestos victims are most likely to develop mesothelioma as result of exposure at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is often difficult to identify mesothelioma due to the fact that the symptoms are not specific and can be similar to those of other diseases. Because of this, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and victims 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, including any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your chance of developing the disease is higher.
When the mesothelioma diagnose is made, your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma that you have. Pleural mesothelioma has been identified as the most prevalent form of this disease and accounts for approximately 80percent of mesothelioma diagnosis each year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic variant of mesothelioma, which contains epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell types. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you depending on the type of mesothelioma. Depending on your location and the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment can help increase your chances of surviving.