Types of Asbestos All six kinds of amorphous asbestos can be found in nature as bundles of fine, durable fibres. They are resistant against heat, chemicals, fire and electrical conductivity. They have a high tensile and wear strength. Asbestos is utilized 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 widely used form of the mineral. It was due to its being affordable, durable, and fireproof. However, it was also found to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma and other diseases. Some countries still use asbestos but a global ban is needed. Health care professionals continue to warn that asbestos in all forms, including chrysotile, is carcinogenic, and no amount of exposure can be considered to be safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than the older forms of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and is not flammable. Although this kind of asbestos is less dangerous than amphibole asbestos, it is nevertheless a danger to handle. Chrysotile is the most commonly mined asbestos, and it is the one responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile is a golden or brown yellow fibrous mineral that looks like threads and feels supple to the touch. Under an electron microscopy, the fibres appear more like tubes. They are actually composed of structural layers of minerals formed into spirals. Chrysotile is known to trigger numerous illnesses, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal issues. People who work with chrysotile, are particularly susceptible to developing these ailments because they are in constant contact with the mineral. Construction workers and automobile repair are most likely to encounter Chrysotile asbestos because it was once extremely popular. It is often found in older houses and vehicles. Amosite Asbest is comprised of six different kinds of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its own chemical composition and properties, but all six are linked to increased risk of mesothelioma. These include amphibole and serpentine minerals chrysotile and crocidolite (white asbestos) amosite, tremolite anthophyllite, tremolite, and anthophyllite. Chrysotile is the most popular type of asbestos in the United States. Many businesses and homes have it in their roofs, walls, and floors. It was also used for gaskets, thermal insulation, and boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain Chrysotile include cement sheets, shingles and pipe insulation. All forms of asbestos are dangerous if inhaled. The exposure to any form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as other conditions of the pleura. The exposure to asbestos is most often caused by breathing, however, it can also be caused by working or handling asbestos fibres. The exposure to asbestos is especially risky if the material is friable. This means that they are prone to breaking down easily and eventually, they can become dust particles in the air. Friability is dependent on the fibrillar thickness and their length. Longer and thicker fibres are more likely to penetrate deep into the lungs, while thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do so. The most common way to expose workers to asbestos is by handling or removing asbestos. Asbestos is a fine, crystallized material that releases dust into the air when 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 to break apart when vacuuming causes them to stick to surfaces. Crocidolite Amphibole asbestos, unlike serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) has long straight fibres, which are soft and brittle. They are also more harmful to inhale. Crocidolite, amosite and tremolite are the most well-known forms of amphibole. Other forms include anthophyllite or actinolite. These types of asbestos can be found in natural deposits that contain the chrysotile. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile within the deposit. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, such as asbestos cement pipes sheets, sheets, friction materials used in car brakes, coatings, and gaskets. The fibres are woven into fabric, paper, thread, mastics or bound by Portland Cement, resins or plastics. The length and the size of the fibres will determine their best application. The shorter fibres are utilized for electrical insulation, filters, and flooring, while the longer ones are utilized for asbestos sheets, pipes, and flooring. Numerous studies have shown that asbestos exposure is linked to and stomach cancer. The results of these studies differ, however, and the conclusions are limited by the relatively sparse literature on this topic. In general, the risk of stomach cancer is likely to increase when the cumulative exposure to asbestos increases. However, the effect is reduced when the time from the first exposure is taken into account. 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). Children who are exposed asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reasons behind this are not understood. Lung cancer Lung cancer is among the most frequent illnesses caused by asbestos. It can be result of long-term exposure to asbestos and is generally more serious than other types of asbestos-related illnesses. It affects the lungs, and sometimes other organs such as the heart, stomach and bladder. It can also cause mesothelioma - a rare cancer that affects lungs and lining. Asbestos is composed of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It was widely employed in the construction industry and can be found in a variety of different products. Most people don't become sick from the low levels of asbestos in the air. However, those who get sick are typically exposed regularly to asbestos in a specific work and typically for a prolonged period of time. The most frequent jobs that require asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have helped limit the use and presence of asbestos in construction sites. However, it is still present in older household products, such as crayons and toys for children. All forms of asbestos could cause lung conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other diseases. Chrysotile is the most well-known form of asbestos. Crocidolite as well as Amphibole are types of asbestos. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed micro-sized fibres are released into the air and may be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres can become trapped deep within the lungs. The asbestos fibres can then cause inflammation and scarring of the lung. This could result in lung carcinoma mesothelioma as well as other diseases that may take years to develop. Other factors that increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related illness include smoking cigarettes and having an ancestral history of the disease. Mesothelioma When asbestos is used for insulation or to construct and renovation of homes, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. Those fibers can then be consumed or swallowed and can cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma. The mesothelium is a lining that covers organs. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In some instances it can also be found in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma). Asbestos patients are more likely to develop mesothelioma as result of exposure at work. Mesothelioma can also affect the family members of asbestos workers. It is often difficult to identify mesothelioma as the symptoms aren't distinct and frequently resemble those of other diseases. Because of this, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and patients might not receive the treatment they need. A mesothelioma diagnosis begins with visiting your doctor. The doctor will inquire about your medical history and any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if your risk of developing the disease is greater. Your doctor will determine the kind of mesothelioma in your body after a mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common form of this disease and accounts for approximately 80% of all mesothelioma diagnosis each year. The other two types are peritoneal mesothelioma and a rare biphasic type of mesothelioma that contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells. Your doctor will decide the best treatment option for you according to the type of mesothelioma. Treatment can improve your odds of survival, based on the type and location of your mesothelioma.