Types of Asbestos
All six types of amorphous asbestos exist in nature as a bundle of thin and durable fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire as well as chemical and electrical conductivity. They have a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos is used in a variety of products including floor tiles, insulation, paint and heat-resistant fabrics.
Chrysotile
Chrysotile also known as white asbestos, was the most common form of the mineral that was used in a myriad of products before it was banned in the 1980s. This was because it was inexpensive, durable and fireproof. It was later discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma-related diseases. While some countries still use asbestos, a total global ban is now needed.
Health care professionals continue to warn of the fact that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, can cause cancer and no amount of exposure is safe. Companies that 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.
Although this type of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole asbestos it is still a risk to handle. Chrysotile is the most frequently mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that is soft and appears like threads, is a fibrous mineral. Under an electron microscope, the fibres look more like tubes and are a combination of structural layers of the mineral that are rolled in spiral form.
Chrysotile is known to trigger various illnesses, such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. People who work with chrysotile are particularly susceptible to developing these diseases because they are frequently in contact with the mineral. Asbestos was once extensively used in construction and auto repair. It can be found in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
Asbest is made up of six different types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and physical properties. However all six are linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. This includes amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile and crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely used form of asbestos in the United States. It is still found today in the roofs, walls and floors of many buildings and homes. It was also used in automotive brake gaskets, linings, boiler seals and thermal insulation. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation.
All types of asbestos can be dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural diseases and mesothelioma. Inhalation is the most frequent way to be exposed to asbestos, however, it can also occur when working or handling the asbestos fibres. Exposure is especially dangerous when the asbestos is friable which means they break easily and can be airborne as dust particles.
Friability is dependent on the thickness of the fibres and their length. Longer and thicker fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate deeply into the lungs.
The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers handle or remove 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 attorney is swept or vacuumed it may release tiny fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping motion can cause the fibres to break apart, while vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.
Crocidolite
Unlike the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos has long straight chain-like fibers that are more brittle and dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and Crocidolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These kinds of asbestos are found in natural deposits that contain Chrysotile. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite combined with chrysotile in the deposit.
Asbestos can be found in many products, including asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction material used in coatings, car brakes and gaskets. The fibres are weaved into paper, fabric, mastics, thread, or bonded with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine the most suitable application. The shorter fibres are typically employed in textiles, electrical insulation and filters. The longer fibres are used in asbestos cement sheets, pipes and flooring.
Numerous studies have suggested a link 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 developing stomach cancer increases as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effects are lessened when the latency in the time since first exposure is taken into account.
Other forms of asbestos are involved in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the abdomen's lining and chest). Children who have been exposed to
Asbestos Law are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reason for this is not known.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most well-known asbestos-related illness. It is caused by asbestos exposure for a long time and is more dangerous than any other asbestos disease. It affects the lungs, and occasionally other organs like the heart, stomach and bladder. It could also cause mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.
Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It can be found in a number of different products. It was once widely used in construction, however, it has been withdrawn due to its ill effects.
The majority of people don't get sick from the low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who do become ill are usually exposed frequently to asbestos in a specific job, and usually for a longer period of time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, government regulations have helped limit the use and presence of asbestos in construction sites. Certain household items from the past, such as crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.
All forms of asbestos could cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis among other illnesses. Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing material is disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and may be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped in the lungs when inhaled. The asbestos fibres may cause scarring and inflammation of the lung. This can lead to lung carcinoma mesothelioma and other illnesses that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking and having a family history of the condition.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the production of insulation or in the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. These fibers can be inhaled, or swallowed and cause serious health issues such as mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is a lining that protects organs. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some cases it can also affect the tissues of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos sufferers are more likely to develop mesothelioma as a consequence of exposure to asbestos at work.