Types of Asbestos
All six types of asbestos occur naturally as bundles of durable and thin fibres. They are resistant to fire, heat, chemicals and electrical conductivity. They possess a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products including floor 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. It was used because it was affordable, fireproof and durable. It was later discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to cancers like mesothelioma. Some countries still employ asbestos, however a global prohibition is needed.
Health professionals continue to warn that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and any amount of exposure is safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is more safe than older forms of the mineral, because it is tightly packed and non-friable.
This type of asbestos is not as dangerous than amphibole asbestos types however it is dangerous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly used type of asbestos mined. It is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases across the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral which appears like threads and feels soft to the touch. Under an electron microscope the fibers appear more like tubes and are a result of structural layers of the mineral, rolled in a spiral.
Chrysotile has been proven to be the cause of many ailments that include pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer and other respiratory problems. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. People who work with chrysotile are especially at risk for developing these diseases since they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile was previously widely used in auto and construction repair. It is found in older houses and vehicles.
Amosite
There are six types of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties and all six are associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most well-known asbestos type in the United States. It can still be found in the roofs, walls and floors of many buildings and homes. It was also used in brake gaskets, linings of boilers, seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile are shingles or cement sheets as well as pipe insulation.
All types of asbestos are harmful when inhaled. Exposure to any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases. Exposure to asbestos is often caused by inhalation, however, it can also be caused by handling or working with fibres. The exposure to asbestos is especially hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means that they are prone to break down easily and eventually, they can become dust particles that are airborne.
Friability is a result of the length and the thickness of the fibers. Thicker and longer fibres will be 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 remove or handle it. Asbestos is a very fine, crystal-like material that can release 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 sweeping could cause fibres to break up and vacuuming causes them to stick to other surfaces.
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As opposed to 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) as well as amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos. However, it can there are other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These kinds of asbestos are found in natural deposits along with chrysotile. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.
Asbestos is utilized in a variety of items including asbestos cement pipes and sheets as well as friction materials for car brakes, gaskets, and coatings. The fibres are weaved into paper, fabric, thread, mastics or bound with Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The length and size of the fibres will determine their best application. The shorter fibres are used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters and flooring, while the longer ones are used for asbestos sheets, pipes, and flooring.
Numerous studies have proven an association between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. The results of these studies are varied, but the conclusions are not conclusive due to the absence of literature. In general, the risk of stomach cancer is believed to increase with increasing exposure to asbestos. However, the effects are lessened when the latency from the first exposure is considered.
Other forms of asbestos can be implicated in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the abdomen's lining and chest). Children who have been exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reason for this is not understood.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers caused by asbestos. It is caused by asbestos exposure over a long period of time and is more serious than any other 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 and lining.
Asbestos is comprised of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It was extensively employed in construction and can be found in a myriad of products.
Most people are not afflicted by the low levels of airborne asbestos. People who do get sick are usually exposed to asbestos on a regular basis in a specific occupation and for a long period of time. The most common jobs that are exposed to asbestos are shipbuilding, mining and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have reduced the use and prevalence of asbestos in buildings. It is still present in older household products such as crayons and toys for children.
All forms of asbestos can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widely recognized form of asbestos. Crocidolite and Amphibole are both types of asbestos.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres which are then airborne and inhaled. These fibres may get caught in the lungs after inhalation. The asbestos fibers can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This can result in mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other illnesses that may take years to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family history of asbestos-related diseases are two factors which increase your risk of developing.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the production of insulation, or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. The fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, causing serious health problems like mesothelioma.
The mesothelium, the lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma typically affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In certain cases it can also occur in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos at work. However, family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be difficult recognize because symptoms aren't specific and often mimic those of other diseases. Mesothelioma could be misdiagnosed and victims may not get the treatment they need.
A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will collect a complete medical history and ask about your past asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you're a higher risk for the disease.
Your doctor will determine which type of mesothelioma in your body once a mesothelioma is diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts to around 80 percent of mesothelioma cases each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma that contains epithelioid, as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment option for you based on the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can improve your odds of surviving, depending on the type and the location of mesothelioma.