Types of Asbestos

All six kinds of asbestos are naturally formed as bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire chemicals, electrical conductivity and chemical vapors. They also have exceptional wear and tensile strength. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products such as floor tiles, insulation, paints and heat-resistant fabric.

Chrysotile

Before it was banned in the year 1980, Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most commonly used form of the mineral. It was popular because it was fireproof, inexpensive and long-lasting. However, it was found to be extremely harmful and associated with mesothelioma, as well as other diseases. While some countries continue to employ asbestos, a complete worldwide ban is now required.

Health professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and that any amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered to be safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than other forms of the mineral, because it's tightly packaged and non-friable.

Although this type of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos, it's still extremely dangerous to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most common kind of asbestos mined and is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile, a brownish-golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous rock. When examined with electron microscopy the fibers look more like tubes. They are actually a combination of structural layers of minerals that are rolled into a spiral shape.

Chrysotile has been shown to cause a range of illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and respiratory issues of other kinds. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular disease. These ailments are more common among those who work with chrysotile as a result of their prolonged contact with it. Those who work in construction and repair of vehicles are the most likely to encounter chrysotile asbestos because it was once very well-known. It could be found in older buildings and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is made from six different kinds of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its particular chemical composition and characteristics and properties, but all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. These include amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile, the crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, Tremolite anthophyllite and tremolite.

Chrysotile is by far the most widely used type of asbestos in the United States. It is still present in the walls, roofs and floors of a variety of businesses and homes. It was also used in automobile brake gaskets, linings, boiler seals and thermal insulation. Other asbestos products that contain chrysotile are shingles, cement sheets, and pipe insulation.

All types of asbestos are harmful if inhaled. The exposure to asbestos in any form could cause lung cancer, pleural disease, and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is most commonly caused by inhalation, but it can also be triggered through handling or working with asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos is particularly dangerous if the materials are friable, which means they crumble easily and can be airborne as dust particles.

Friability is a function length and the thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibers are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate deeper into the lungs.

The most frequent method to expose workers to asbestos is through taking it off or handling asbestos. Asbestos is a very fine, crystallized substance that releases dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed it can release tiny fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping process could cause the fibres to break apart and vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), has long, straight fibres that are tough and brittle. They are also more harmful to inhale. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite, and crocidolite are the most well-known forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These asbestos types can be found in natural deposits containing the chrysotile. It is believed that the other asbestos minerals are contaminants in crocidolite and could be mixed with the chrysotile asbestos found in the deposits.

Asbestos is used in a variety of items including asbestos cement sheets and pipes, friction materials for car brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be weaved into fabrics, paper, mastics and thread or tied with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the best application. The shorter fibres can be utilized for electrical insulation, filters, and flooring, while the longer ones are utilized for asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

A number of studies have revealed a connection between asbestos exposure and cancer of the stomach. The results of these studies differ, however the conclusions are limited by the limited literature on the subject. In general the risk of stomach cancer is seen to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The risk is lessened when the latency of the first exposure is considered.

Other types of asbestos have been implicated in the development of mesothelioma, a malignant tumour that affects the lining of the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). It has been discovered that children exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma compared to adults. The reasons for this are not clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common illnesses caused by asbestos. It is caused by exposure to asbestos over a long period of time and is more dangerous than any other asbestos related disease. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs like the stomach, the heart, and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma which is an uncommon cancer that affects the lungs the lining.

Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It was extensively used in the construction industry and can be found in a variety of different products.

Most people aren't sick from a low amount of asbestos in the air. However, those who do develop illness are typically exposed on a regular basis to asbestos while working in a particular job, and usually for a prolonged time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, regulations from the government have helped limit the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. However, it is still present in older household products, such as children's toys and crayons.

All forms of asbestos could cause lung diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other illnesses. Chrysotile is the most well-known type of asbestos. Crocidolite and Amphibole are both types of asbestos.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibres which become airborne and are inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres can become trapped deep within the lungs. The asbestos fibres can then cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This can cause lung cancer mesothelioma as well as other diseases which can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking cigarettes and having an ancestral history of the disease.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for insulation or in the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. These fibers are then consumed or swallowed and can cause serious health issues like mesothelioma.

The mesothelium is the lining which protects organs. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some cases, it could also affect the tissues of the heart, or testicles.

Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma owing to exposure at work. However, relatives of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because the symptoms aren't specific and frequently resemble those of other diseases. Mesothelioma can be 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 ask you about your medical history including any asbestos exposure. This will help them determine if you are at a higher risk for the disease.

Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from once mesothelioma is identified. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts to around 80 percent of mesothelioma cases every year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma, which has epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma can help your doctor decide on the most appropriate treatment options for you. Based on your location and the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from, treatment may improve the chances of survival.