Types of Asbestos
The six varieties of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as a bundle of thin and durable fibres. They are resistant to flames, chemicals, heat and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding wear and tensile strength.
Asbestos is used in a variety of products such as flooring tiles, insulation, paint and heat-resistant fabrics.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile, known as white asbestos, was the most common type of mineral used in a myriad of products prior to its ban in the 1980s. It was used because it was fireproof, inexpensive and durable. It was found to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma and other cancers. Certain countries continue to use asbestos, but a global ban is needed.
Health professionals continue to warn that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and any amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's health is better than older versions of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and non-friable.
Although this kind of asbestos is less hazardous than amphibole asbestos it is nevertheless a danger to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most common kind of asbestos mined and is the main cause of mesothelioma cancer cases across the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous material that appears like threads and feels supple to the touch. Under an electron microscope, the fibers look 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 illnesses such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer and other respiratory problems. It has also been linked to digestive problems and cardiovascular disease. These ailments are more common in those who work with chrysotile due to of their frequent exposure to it. Asbestos was once widely used in construction and auto repair. It is often found in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
There are six types of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were used as asbestos. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties and all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the serpentine and amphibole minerals chrysotile (white
Asbestos Lawyer) and crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known form of asbestos in the United States. It is still used in the roofs, walls and floors of many buildings and homes. It was also used as gaskets, thermal insulation and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile comprise cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.
Inhaling any form of asbestos is risky. The exposure to asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the primary way to be exposed to asbestos. However, it can also occur while handling or working with the asbestos fibres. The exposure to asbestos is especially hazardous when materials are fragile. This means that they are prone to break down easily and then become dust particles in the air.
Friability is determined by the fibrillar thickness and their length. Thicker and longer fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate deep into the lungs.
The most frequent method to expose workers to asbestos is by taking it off or handling it. This is due to asbestos being an extremely fine material that can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed, it may release small fibres in the air. This is because sweeping could cause fibres to break up when vacuuming them, whereas sweeping causes them to stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
Contrary to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos is composed of long, straight chain-like fibres that are more brittle and dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red
asbestos litigation) are the most common amphibole asbestos. However, they it can also be found in other forms like anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are often found in natural deposits, along with chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are also contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with chrysotile asbestos present in the deposits.
Asbestos is utilized in a variety of products including asbestos cement sheets and pipes, friction materials for car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be woven into fabrics, paper, mastics and thread or joined 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 cement pipes, sheets and flooring.
Numerous studies have revealed that asbestos exposure is linked to and stomach cancer. These studies have varied results however the conclusions are limited because of the absence of evidence. The risk of developing stomach cancer appears to increase with increasing exposure to asbestos. The effect is reduced when latency from the first exposure is taken into account.
Other types of asbestos are involved in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the lining of the abdomen and chest). It has been found that children exposed to asbestos are more at chance of developing mesothelioma, compared to adults. The reasons for this are unknown.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most well-known asbestos-related disease. It is caused by exposure to long-term asbestos and is generally more serious than other types of asbestos-related diseases. It affects the lungs and sometimes other organs such as the stomach, the heart and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects lungs the lining.
Asbestos is composed of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is present in a variety of different products and was extensively used in construction, however, it has been withdrawn due to its harmful effects.
Most people aren't affected by the low levels of airborne asbestos. However, those that get sick are typically exposed regularly to asbestos while working in a particular work and typically for a longer period of time. The most frequent jobs that require asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have reduced the use of asbestos, and it is now present in fewer buildings. Some older household products like crayons and children's toys, still contain asbestos.
All forms of asbestos could cause lung ailments such as mesothelioma and asbestosis among other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized kind of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing material is disturbed microscopic fibres release into the air and may be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres can become trapped deep within the lung. The asbestos fibres could cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This could result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma, mesothelioma or other diseases that may take years to develop. Smoking and having a family background of asbestos-related diseases are also factors that 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 and can cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is the lining which covers organs. Mesothelioma typically affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).