Types of Asbestos
All six kinds of asbestos occur naturally as strings of pliable and durable fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire as well as chemical and electrical conductivity. They have a very high tensile as well as wear strength. Asbestos is utilized in a wide range of products like flooring tiles, insulation, paint and heat-resistant fabrics.
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Before it was banned in the year 1980, Chrysotile (also known as white asbestos) was the most widely used form of the mineral. It was used because it was affordable, fireproof and durable. It was found to be extremely harmful and connected to mesothelioma-related diseases. Certain countries still make use of asbestos, however a global ban is required.
Health care professionals are continuing to warn that all types of asbestos, including chrysotile are carcinogenic and any amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile is safer than older forms of the mineral, because it's tightly packaged and is non-friable.
While this form of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos but it is still extremely dangerous to handle. Chrysotile, the most widely mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral that appears like threads, and feels soft to the touch. When examined with electron microscopy the fibers look more like tubes. They are actually a mixture of structural layers of minerals formed into spirals.
Chrysotile has been shown to be the cause of many ailments which 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 susceptible to developing these diseases since they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile used to be widely employed in the construction industry and auto repair. It is often found in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
There are six kinds of naturally occurring fibrous silicate 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. These include amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile and the crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite (white asbestos), tremolite anthophyllite, and tremolite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most common asbestos type in the United States. It is still present in the walls, roofs and floors of many businesses and homes. It was also used as thermal insulation, gaskets, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile are shingles, cement sheets and pipe insulation.
All forms of asbestos pose dangers if inhaled. Exposure to any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other disorders of the pleura. Inhalation is by far the most common method of exposure to asbestos, but it can also occur while working with or handling the fibers. The exposure to asbestos is especially hazardous if the materials are brittle. This means they are susceptible to crumbling easily and then become dust particles that are airborne.
Friability is a result of the length and thickness of the fibers. Thicker and longer fibers are more likely than thinner and shorter ones to penetrate deep into the lungs.
The exposure to asbestos is most often when workers handle or remove it. Asbestos is a fine crystalline material that can release dust into the air when crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept up or vacuumed, it may release tiny fibres into the air. This is because sweeping can cause fibres to break up while vacuuming causes them stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
As opposed to serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) amphibole asbestos has long, straight chain-like fibres that are more brittle and dangerous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most common amphibole asbestos. However, it can it can also be found in different forms, such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These types of asbestos are commonly found in natural deposits, along with chrysotile asbestos. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.
Asbestos is used in a variety of items including asbestos cement pipe and sheets and friction materials for automobile brakes, gaskets and coatings. The fibres can be weaved into papers, fabrics, mastics and thread or bound with Portland cement resins, plastics or. The length and size of the fibres will determine the most suitable application. The shorter fibres are typically used in textiles, electrical insulation and filters, whereas the longer fibres are utilized in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, flooring and sheets.
Numerous studies have suggested a link between asbestos exposure and cancer of the stomach. The results of these studies differ however the conclusions are influenced by the limited literature on the subject. In general the risk of developing stomach cancer appears to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. The risk is decreased when the time period from the initial exposure is considered.
Other forms of asbestos are involved in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumour affecting the abdomen's lining and chest). It has been found that children who are exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma compared to adults. The reasons for this are not clear.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most well-known asbestos-related illness. It is caused by asbestos exposure over a prolonged period of time and is more dangerous than any other asbestos-related disease. It can affect the lungs and occasionally other organs such as the stomach or the heart. It can also cause mesothelioma, an uncommon cancer that affects lung and lining.
Asbestos belongs to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is present in a variety of different products. It was once widely used in construction but has since been banned due to its ill effects.
Most people are not afflicted by the low levels of airborne asbestos. However, those that get sick are typically exposed frequently to asbestos while working in a particular 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 reduced the use and presence of asbestos in construction sites. Some household products from the past like crayons, toys for children and even crayons, still contain asbestos.
All forms of asbestos could cause lung diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most widely recognised form of asbestos. Other types of asbestos are amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled. When inhaled, the fibres could become trapped in the lungs. Asbestos fibres can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This could lead to lung carcinoma mesothelioma as well as other diseases which can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking and having an ancestor with the disease.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the production of insulation, or for the construction and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers are then swallowed or inhaled, leading to serious health conditions such as mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that grows in the lining of organs known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is typically found in the linings of the lungs and abdomen. In some instances it can also be found in the heart's lining (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos workers are more likely to develop mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma also can affect family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose because symptoms aren't specific and frequently resemble symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and victims may not get the treatment they require.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma starts with visiting your doctor. Your doctor will conduct a complete medical history and ask about your past asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.
Your doctor will determine the kind of mesothelioma that you have after a mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma (the most commonly diagnosed type of this disease, accounts for around 80 percent of mesothelioma cases each year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic type of mesothelioma that contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells. The type of mesothelioma will help your doctor decide on the best treatment options for you. Based on the location you live in and the type of mesothelioma you have, treatment can help increase your chances of surviving.