Types of Asbestos
All six kinds of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as bundles of fine, durable fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat as well as chemical and electrical conductivity. They possess 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 form of the mineral that was used in a variety of products before it was banned in the 1980s. This was due to the fact that it was cheap, durable and fireproof. It was found to be extremely harmful and linked to diseases like mesothelioma. Some countries still use asbestos, but a worldwide ban is required.
Health care experts continue to warn that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile. carcinogenic, and that no amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered safe. Companies who mine and sell
asbestos claim that chrysotile is more safe than earlier forms of the mineral because it is tightly packed and is not flammable.
While this form of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos but it is nevertheless a danger to handle. Chrysotile is the most frequently mined asbestos and is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases around the world. Chrysotile is a brown or golden yellow fibrous material that appears like threads and is soft to the touch. When examined with electron microscopy the fibers look more like tubes. They are actually a combination of structural layers of minerals formed into spirals.
Chrysotile has been proven to cause a range of illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and other respiratory problems. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. These illnesses are more prevalent for those who work with chrysotile because of their frequent exposure to it. Asbestos was once widely used in construction and auto repair. It can be found in older homes and vehicles.
Amosite
There are six kinds of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has its particular chemical composition and characteristics however, all six are associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile and Crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite (white asbestos), tremolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used form of asbestos in the United States. It is still present in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of buildings and homes. It was also used as gaskets, thermal insulation and boiler seals in automobiles. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile are shingles, cement sheets, and pipe insulation.
All forms of asbestos are dangerous if inhaled. Inhaling any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other conditions of the pleura. Inhalation is by far the most common method of exposure to asbestos, however, it can also happen when working with or handling fibers. Exposure to asbestos is especially hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means that they can crumble easily, and eventually, they can become airborne dust particles.
Friability is related to the size of the fibres as well as their length. Fibers that are longer and thinner are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate deep into the lungs.
Exposure to asbestos occurs most often when workers work with or remove it. This is because asbestos is an extremely fine material that can be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept away or vacuumed, it can release tiny fibres in the air. This is because a sweeping process could cause the fibres to break apart when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
In contrast to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole asbestos is composed of long, straight chain-like fibres, which are brittle and more hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most common amphibole asbestos. However, it can also exist in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are usually found in natural deposits as well as chrysotile asbestos. It is believed that these other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos in the deposit.
Asbestos is used in a myriad of products including asbestos cement pipe and sheets and friction materials used in car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be weaved into paper, fabric, mastics, thread or joined with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and the size of the fibres will determine their best application. The shorter fibres are utilized for electrical insulation, filters, and flooring, while the longer ones are utilized for asbestos sheets, pipes, and flooring.
Numerous studies have reported an association between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. The outcomes of these studies are varied however the conclusions are influenced by the comparatively limited literature on this topic. In general the risk of developing stomach cancer increases when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The effect is reduced when the time period from the initial exposure is taken into consideration.
Other types of asbestos have been implicated in the formation of mesothelioma, a malignant tumor that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest (Mesothelioma). It has been found that children who are exposed to asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma than adults. The reason for this is not known.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one the most frequent ailments caused by asbestos. It can be caused by exposure to asbestos and is typically more serious than other types of asbestos disease. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs like the stomach, the heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lung.
Asbestos is comprised of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It was extensively employed in construction and is found in a variety of products.
Most people do not get ill from low levels of asbestos in the air. Those who do become sick are often exposed to asbestos regularly at a particular job and over a long period of time. The heaviest exposures tend to be in jobs such as mining, shipbuilding construction, insulation and construction. In recent years, government regulations helped to limit the use and prevalence of asbestos in buildings. It is still found in older household products, such as crayons for children and toys.
All types of asbestos are carcinogenic. They can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly recognised kind of asbestos. Crocidolite as well as Amphibole are forms of asbestos.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed microscopically, tiny fibres are released into the air, and they can be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped in the lungs when inhaled. The asbestos fibres could cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This could cause lung cancer, mesothelioma or other illnesses that may take years to develop. Smoking and having a family background of asbestos-related ailments are additional factors which increase your risk.
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 are later inhaled or swallowed and cause serious health problems like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of organs known as the mesothelium.