Types of Asbestos
All six types of asbestos are found naturally in bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat chemicals, electrical conductivity and chemical vapors. They have a high tensile strength and wear strength. Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products including flooring tiles, insulation paint and heat-resistant fabrics.
Chrysotile
Before it was banned in the year 1980, Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most commonly used form of the mineral. This was because it was affordable, durable, and fireproof. It was found to be extremely harmful and linked to diseases like mesothelioma. While some countries continue to use asbestos, a total global ban is now needed.
Health professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's health is better than the older forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packaged and non-friable.
Although this type of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos, it is still dangerous to handle. edinburg asbestos attorney , the most widely mined asbestos, and it is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases around the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral that looks like threads and is soft to the touch. Through electron microscopy, the fibers appear to be tubes. They are actually a combination of structural layers of minerals that have been rolled into spiral form.
Chrysotile is known to cause numerous illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. People who work with chrysotile, are particularly at risk for developing these diseases because they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Construction workers and repair of vehicles are the most likely to come across Chrysotile asbestos since it was once very well-known. It can be found in old homes and vehicles.
Amosite
There are six types of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used as asbestos. Each mineral has its particular chemical composition and characteristics and properties, but all six are linked to 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 popular asbestos type in the United States. It is still found today in the walls, roofs and floors of many businesses and homes. It was also used for thermal insulation, gaskets, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile are shingles or cement sheets as well as pipe insulation.
Inhaling any form of asbestos is hazardous. The exposure to any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other pleural diseases. Inhalation is the primary way to be exposed to asbestos, however it can also occur when handling or working with the fibers. Exposure to asbestos is especially hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means they are prone to break down easily and become dust particles in the air.
Friability is dependent on the thickness of the fibres and their length. Thicker and longer fibres are more likely to penetrate deeper into the lungs, whereas thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do so.
The exposure to asbestos happens most often when workers are handling or removing it. Asbestos is an extremely fine, crystallized substance that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed, it may release small fibres in the air. This is due to the fact that sweeping can cause the fibres break apart, while vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) has long straight fibres which are brittle. They are also more hazardous to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) as well as amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos. They it is also found in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos are typically found in natural deposits along with the chrysotile asbestos. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite and mixed with chrysotile within the deposit.
Asbestos is present in a variety products, including asbestos cement pipe sheets, sheets, friction materials used in car brakes, coatings, and gaskets. The fibres are woven into paper, fabric thread, mastics or bound with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres determine the most appropriate 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.
A number of studies have revealed a connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The findings of these studies differ however, and the conclusions are influenced due to the lack of research on this subject. In general, the risk of stomach cancer increases when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effects are reduced when the time in the time since first exposure is considered.
Other forms of asbestos have been linked in the formation of mesothelioma which is a malignant tumor that affects the abdomen and chest (Mesothelioma). It has been found that children exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reason for this is not clear.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most well-known asbestos-related illness. It can be caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, and is usually more serious than other types of asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs and sometimes other organs such as the stomach, the heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma, an uncommon cancer that affects lung the lining.
Asbestos belongs to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is widely employed in construction and can be found in a myriad of products.
The majority of people don't get sick from a low amount of asbestos in the air. People who do develop illness are often exposed to asbestos regularly in a specific job, and over a long period of time. The most extensive exposures tends to be in jobs such as mining, shipbuilding, construction and insulation. In recent years, regulations from the government helped to limit the use and presence of asbestos in construction sites. Some household products from the past, such as crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.
All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most commonly recognized form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing material is disturbed microscopic fibres release into the air and can be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped inside the lungs if inhaled. The asbestos fibres may cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could lead to lung carcinoma, mesothelioma, or other illnesses that can take years to develop. Smoking and having a family background of asbestos-related diseases are two factors which increase your chance of developing.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the production of insulation, or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. Those fibers can then be taken in by swallowing or inhalation, leading to serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of organs known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In certain cases, it may be found on the tissues of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos-related victims are more likely to develop mesothelioma as consequence of exposure to asbestos at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms aren't specific and frequently resemble symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they require.
A visit to your doctor is the first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about your medical history as well as any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if your are at an increased risk for contracting the disease.
After the mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, your doctor will determine what kind of mesothelioma you are suffering from. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease, accounts for about 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses each year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic type of mesothelioma. This type contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment for you based on the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can increase your chances of surviving, depending on the type and location of mesothelioma.