Types of Asbestos
The six varieties of amorphous asbestos are found in nature as bundles of thin fibrous fibres that are durable. They are resistant to fire, heat as well as chemical and electrical conductivity. They also have outstanding tensile strength and wear. Asbestos has been used in a wide range of products including flooring tiles, insulation paints and heat-resistant fabric.
Chrysotile
Before it was banned in 1980, Chrysotile (also called white asbestos) was the most widely used form of the mineral. This was because it was affordable, durable and fireproof. However, it was also discovered to be extremely hazardous and associated with mesothelioma as well as other diseases. Certain countries continue to use asbestos, but a global ban is needed.
Health professionals continue to warn people that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile. carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's health is better than older versions of the mineral because it is tightly packed and non-friable.
This kind of asbestos is less dangerous than the amphibole types of asbestos, but it is still hazardous for people to handle. Chrysotile is the most commonly mined asbestos and is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases in the world. Chrysotile which is a brownish golden mineral that feels soft and looks like threads is a fibrous minerals. When examined with electron microscopy the fibres appear more like tubes. They are actually a mixture of structural layers of minerals rolled into spiral form.
Chrysotile has been proven to be the cause of many diseases which include pleural mesothelioma lung cancer and other respiratory problems. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular disease. These illnesses are more prevalent among those who work with chrysotile because of their frequent exposure to it. Asbestos chrysotile was once extensively used in construction and automobile repair. It could be found in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
There are six kinds of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that have been used in asbestos. Each mineral has a different chemical composition and properties. However they are all linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include amphibole, serpentine minerals chrysotile and crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite anthophyllite, tremolite, and anthophyllite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular asbestos type in the United States. Numerous homes and businesses have it in their walls, roofs and floors. It was also used in automobile brake linings, gaskets, boiler seals and thermal insulation. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles or cement sheets as well as pipe insulation.
All types of asbestos can be dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer and other lung diseases. Inhalation is the most common way to be exposed to asbestos, but it can also occur when handling or working with the asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos can be particularly dangerous if materials are friable. This means they are susceptible to crumbling easily and become airborne dust particles.
Friability is a function of the length and thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibres are more likely to penetrate deep into the lungs, while shorter and thinner fibres are less likely to do so.
The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers are handling or removing it. This is due to asbestos being a fine material and can be released into the air as dust after it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed, it may release small fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping action can cause the fibres break up when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), has long straight fibres that are soft and brittle. They are also more hazardous to breathe in. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) amosite (brown asbestos) and tremolite (red asbestos) are the most common amphibole asbestos. They there are different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos are found in natural deposits containing chrysotile. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile to form a deposit.
Asbestos is used in a myriad of products including asbestos cement pipe and sheets and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres are weaved into paper, fabric, mastics, thread, or bound with Portland Cement, resins, or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine which is the most suitable application. The shorter fibres are usually employed in textiles, electrical insulation and filters. On the other hand, the longer fibres are utilized in asbestos cement sheets, pipes and flooring.
Numerous studies have revealed the connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. The outcomes of these studies are varied however the conclusions are influenced due to the lack of research on the subject. In general, the risk of developing stomach cancer appears to increase as the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the impact is diminished when consideration of latency since first exposure is considered.
Other types of asbestos have been linked in the formation of mesothelioma an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the chest and abdomen (Mesothelioma). Children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons for this are not clear.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one the most frequent diseases caused by asbestos. It can be caused by exposure to asbestos and is generally more serious than other types of asbestos-related disease. It affects the lungs and occasionally other organs like the heart, stomach and bladder. It is also a cause of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs.
Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is found in a variety of different products and was once extensively used in construction, however, it has been withdrawn because of its negative effects.
Most people aren't affected by the low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those that get sick are typically exposed on a regular basis to asbestos in a specific job, and often for a long period of time. san francisco asbestos attorneys that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, federal regulations allowed for the reduction of the use and amount of asbestos in buildings. Certain household items from the past, such as crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.
All forms of asbestos can cause lung diseases like 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 they release microscopic fibres that are released into the air and can be inhaled. The fibres can become trapped within the lungs when breathed in. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could result in mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as other diseases that can take a long time to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking cigarettes and having an ancestor with the condition.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used for insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers are then consumed or swallowed and cause serious health conditions such as mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that is found in the lining of organs called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is typically found in the lung lining and abdomen. In some cases it can also develop on the linings of the heart or testicles.
Asbestos patients are more likely to develop mesothelioma as result of exposure to asbestos at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the symptoms aren't distinct and are often similar to symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and victims may not get the treatment they require.
A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history as well as any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your chance of developing the disease is higher.
Your doctor will determine which type of mesothelioma you suffer from after a mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most prevalent type of the disease, accounts for about 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses each year. Other types include peritoneal as well as rare biphasic mesothelioma that contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma can help your doctor determine the most appropriate treatment options for you. Treatment can increase your chances of surviving, depending on the nature and location of mesothelioma.