Types of Asbestos
All six kinds of asbestos naturally form bundles of pliable and thin fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire as well as chemical and electrical conductivity. They also have excellent tensile strength and wear. Asbestos is used in a variety of products such as floor tiles, insulation, paint, and fabric that is heat-resistant.
Chrysotile
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 fireproof, cheap and durable. However, it was also discovered to be extremely hazardous and linked to mesothelioma and other illnesses. Certain countries still make use of asbestos, but a worldwide ban is required.
Health experts continue to warn that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and that any amount of exposure to asbestos can be considered safe. Companies that mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's health is better than earlier forms of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and is non-friable.
This type of asbestos is less dangerous than the amphibole asbestos types however it is hazardous for workers to handle. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly used type of asbestos mined. It is responsible for the majority mesothelioma cancer cases around the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous material that appears like threads and is soft to the touch. In an electron microscope, the fibres appear more like tubes. They are actually composed of structural layers of minerals formed into spirals.
Chrysotile is known to trigger many illnesses, such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease and digestive issues. Those who work with chrysotile, are particularly susceptible to developing these diseases since they have prolonged contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile used to be extensively used in construction and automobile repair. It can be found in older vehicles and homes.
Amosite
There are six kinds of naturally occurring silicate fibrous minerals that were used as asbestos. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties and all six are associated with increased risk of mesothelioma. These include the amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile and the crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite (white asbestos), tremolite anthophyllite, tremolite, and anthophyllite.
Chrysotile asbestos is the most common form of asbestos in the United States. It is still present in the roofs, walls and floors of a variety of businesses and homes. It is also used in automotive brake gaskets, linings for boilers, gaskets and seals, thermal insulation and sealing. Other common asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles, cement sheets, and pipe insulation.
Inhaling asbestos in any form is hazardous. Exposure to any form of asbestos can lead to mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other disorders of the pleura. Inhalation is the primary route of exposure to asbestos, however, it is also possible to be exposed by working with or handling fibers. Exposure to asbestos is particularly dangerous when the asbestos is friable that is to say they break down easily and may be inhaled as dust particles.
Friability is a function length and the thickness of the fibers. Longer and thicker fibers are more likely than shorter and shorter ones to penetrate deeper into the lungs.
The most common way to expose workers to asbestos is through taking it off or handling it. This is because asbestos is a very fine substance and can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed it could release small fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping process could cause the fibres to break up when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces.
Crocidolite
As opposed to serpentine asbestos (chrysotile), the amphibole asbestos is composed of long, straight chain-like fibers that are brittle and more hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite amosite, tremolite and crocidolite are the most common forms of amphibole. Other forms include actinolite or anthophyllite. These types of asbestos are usually found in natural deposits, along with chrysotile asbestos. Other asbestos minerals could be contaminants in crocidolite mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.
Asbestos is present in many products, including asbestos cement pipes sheets, friction materials used for coatings, brakes, and gaskets. The fibres can be weaved into papers, fabrics, mastics and threads or bound by Portland cement resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the most appropriate application. The shorter fibres are usually used in textiles, electrical insulation and filters. The longer fibres are used in asbestos cement sheets, pipes, flooring and sheets.
Numerous studies have revealed a connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. These studies have varied results, but the conclusions aren't as conclusive due to the absence of literature. In general the risk of stomach cancer appears to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the risk is diminished when consideration of latency prior to the first exposure is taken into consideration.
Other types of asbestos have been implicated in the development of mesothelioma, a malignant tumor 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 the most frequent asbestos-related disease. It can be result of long-term exposure to asbestos and is typically more severe than other forms of asbestos-related disease. It can affect the lungs and sometimes other organs like the stomach or heart. It could also cause mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lung.
Asbestos is comprised of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It was extensively used in the construction industry and is found in a variety of different products.
Most people don't become ill from low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who do develop illness are typically exposed regularly to asbestos during a specific job, and usually for a prolonged period of time. The most common jobs that require asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have reduced the use of and the presence of asbestos in construction sites. Certain household items from the past like crayons and toys for children, still contain asbestos.
All types of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other illnesses. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly recognised type of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibres that become airborne and can be inhaled. When inhaled, the fibres may become trapped deep inside the lungs. The asbestos fibres could cause scarring and inflammation of the lung. This could result in lung cancer, mesothelioma or other conditions that take a long time to develop. Smoking cigarettes and having a family history of asbestos-related illnesses are other factors which increase your risk.
Mesothelioma
When asbestos is used in the manufacturing of insulation or in the construction of homes and buildings, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into the air. The fibers can be consumed or swallowed which can lead to serious health issues, such as mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that is found in the organ's lining called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma tends to be found in the linings of the lungs and abdomen. In some cases, it can also develop in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).
Asbestos patients are more likely to develop mesothelioma as consequence of exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma also can affect family members of asbestos workers. Mesothelioma can be difficult diagnose because symptoms aren't specific and frequently resemble symptoms of other diseases. Mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed and patients may not receive the treatment they require.
A mesothelioma diagnosis starts with an appointment with your doctor. sugar land asbestos lawyer will take your medical history in detail and inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. This will enable them to determine if the risk of developing the disease is greater.
Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from once a mesothelioma is diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma has been identified as the most commonly encountered form of the disease, and accounts for around 80% of all mesothelioma diagnosis each year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic version of mesothelioma. This type contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment for you according to the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can increase your odds of surviving, depending on the nature and location of mesothelioma.