The Dangers of Exposure to Asbestos
Before it was banned asbestos was used in thousands commercial products. Research has shown that exposure to asbestos can cause cancer as well as other health issues.
It is not possible to tell by simply looking at something if it's made of asbestos. Neither can you taste or smell it. It is only discovered when the asbestos-containing materials are drilled, chipped or broken.
Chrysotile
At its peak, chrysotile accounted for 99percent of the asbestos created. It was used by many industries such as construction, fireproofing, and insulation. In the event that workers were exposed to the toxic material, they may develop mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases. Thankfully, the use of this harmful mineral has diminished dramatically since mesothelioma awareness began to increase in the 1960's. However, it is still present in trace amounts. are still found in common products that we use in the present.
Chrysotile can be used safely with a well-thought-out safety and handling plan is put into place. Workers handling chrysotile are not exposed to an unreasonable amount of risk at current limits of exposure. Inhaling airborne fibres is strongly linked to lung fibrosis and lung cancer. This has been proven for intensity (dose) as well as duration of exposure.
One study that examined the operation of a factory that utilized almost all chrysotile as its friction materials compared mortality rates at this factory with national mortality rates. The study found that after 40 years of manufacturing low levels of chrysotile, there was no significant increase in mortality rates in this factory.
In contrast to other forms of asbestos, chrysotile fibres tend to be smaller. They can enter the lungs, and even enter the bloodstream. south dakota asbestos attorneys are more likely to cause health problems over longer fibres.
When chrysotile mixes with cement, it is very difficult for the fibres to become airborne and pose any health risks. Fibre cement products are used in a variety of locations around the world, including schools and hospitals.
Research has revealed that amphibole asbestos, such as amosite, crocidolite, or crocidolite, is less likely to cause disease. These amphibole types have been the most common cause of mesothelioma and various asbestos-related illnesses. When chrysotile mixes with cement, it forms a strong, flexible construction product that can withstand harsh weather conditions and other environmental hazards. It is also easy to clean after use. Asbestos fibres can be easily removed by a professional, and then eliminated.
Amosite
Asbestos refers to a set of silicate mineral fibrous that occur naturally in certain types of rock formations. It is composed of six general groups: amphibole, serpentine, tremolite, anthophyllite and crocidolite (IARC 1973).
Asbestos minerals are made up of long, thin fibers that range in length from fine to wide. They can be curled or straight. These fibres can be found in nature in bundles or as individual fibrils. Asbestos can also be found in powder form (talc), or mixed with other minerals to create talcum powder or vermiculite. These are commonly used in consumer products, such as baby powder, cosmetics, and even face powder.
The greatest asbestos use occurred during the early two-thirds of the 20th century in the period when it was employed in shipbuilding, insulation, fireproofing, and other construction materials. The majority of occupational exposures were asbestos fibres that were borne in the air, but certain workers were exposed to toxic talc or vermiculite, and to fragments of asbestos-bearing rock (ATSDR 2001). Exposures varied from industry industry, era to and geographic location.
Most of the asbestos exposures that workers were exposed to was caused by inhalation, however some workers were also exposed through contact with skin or by eating food contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos can be found in the natural environment due to natural weathering and degrading of products that are contaminated, such as ceiling and floor tiles as well as car brakes and clutches as well as insulation.
It is becoming evident that non-commercial amphibole fibers can also be carcinogenic. These are fibres are not the tightly weaved fibrils of amphibole and serpentine minerals but instead are flexible, loose and needle-like. These fibers are found in the mountains, sandstones and cliffs of many countries.
Asbestos enters the environment mainly as airborne particles, but it can also leach into water and soil. This can be triggered by both natural (weathering of asbestos-bearing rocks) and anthropogenic sources (disintegration of asbestos-containing wastes and disposal in landfill sites). Asbestos contamination of ground and surface water is typically a result of natural weathering, but has also been caused by human activities such as milling and mining, demolition and dispersal of asbestos-containing materials as well as the disposal of contaminated soils for disposal in landfills (ATSDR, 2001). Airborne asbestos fibres are the most significant reason for illness among those who are exposed to it during their occupation.
Crocidolite
Inhalation exposure to asbestos is the most common way people are exposed to harmful fibres, which could then get into the lungs and cause serious health issues. Mesothelioma, asbestosis and other diseases can be caused by asbestos fibres. Exposure to the fibres can be experienced in other ways, including contact with contaminated clothing or building materials. The dangers of exposure are more pronounced when crocidolite which is the asbestos' blue form, is involved. Crocidolite is a smaller, more fragile fibers that are more easy to breathe and can be lodged deeper in lung tissue. It has been linked to more mesothelioma-related cases than other types of asbestos.
The six primary types are chrysotile and amosite. The most common asbestos types are epoxiemite and chrysotile, which together make up 95% all commercial asbestos used. The other four types of asbestos haven't been as widely utilized however they can be found in older buildings. They are less dangerous than amosite or chrysotile however they could still be a risk when mixed with other minerals, or when mined close to other mineral deposits such as talc and vermiculite.
Numerous studies have revealed the connection between stomach cancer and asbestos exposure. The evidence isn't unanimous. Some researchers have reported an SMR (standardized death ratio) of 1.5 (95 percent confidence interval: 0.7-3.6), for all asbestos workers. However, others have reported an SMR of 1,24 (95% confidence interval: 0.76-2.5), for workers in chrysotile mills and mines.
IARC The IARC, which is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, has classified all forms of asbestos as carcinogenic. All asbestos types can cause mesothelioma, however, the risk is dependent on how much exposure, what type of asbestos is involved, and how long the exposure lasts. The IARC has recommended that avoid all forms of asbestos should be the top priority because this is the safest option for individuals. However, if someone has been exposed to asbestos in the past and suffer from an illness, such as mesothelioma, or other respiratory ailments it is recommended that they seek advice from their GP or NHS 111.
Amphibole
Amphibole belongs to a group of minerals that form long prism or needle-like crystals. They are a type of silicate mineral composed of double chains of SiO4 molecules. They have a monoclinic arrangement of crystals, however some exhibit an orthorhombic structure. The general formula of an amphibole is A0-1B2C5T8O22(OH,F)2. Double chains contain (Si, Al)O4 tetrahedrons linked together in a ring of six tetrahedrons. The tetrahedrons can be separated from one another with octahedral strips.
Amphibole minerals are found in metamorphic and igneous rocks. They are typically dark-colored and tough. Due to their similarity in strength and color, they can be difficult for some people to differentiate from the pyroxenes. They also share a similar cleavage pattern. Their chemistry can allow for a variety of compositions. The various mineral groups within amphibole are identified by their chemical compositions as well as crystal structures.
Amphibole asbestos is comprised of chrysotile as well as the five asbestos types amosite, anthophyllite (crocidolite), amosite (actinolite), and amosite. Each type of asbestos comes with its own distinctive properties. The most dangerous form of asbestos, crocidolite is made up of sharp fibers that are easy to inhale into the lung. Anthophyllite has a brownish to yellowish hue and is comprised primarily of magnesium and iron. It was previously used in products like cement and insulation materials.
Amphibole minerals are difficult to analyze because they have complex chemical structures and a variety of substitutions. Therefore, a thorough analysis of their composition requires special techniques. The most widely used methods to identify amphiboles are EDS, WDS, and XRD. These methods are only able to provide approximate identifications. For instance, they are unable to distinguish between magnesio-hastingsite from magnesio-hornblende. These techniques do not distinguish between ferro-hornblende and pargasite.