Lung mesothelioma & asbestos Types

Asbestos is generally divided into two groups, namely serpentine and amphibole types. These are explained here.

Chrysotile asbestos

The first type of asbestos is chrysotile asbestos and is also known as white asbestos. This type of asbestos is generally thought to be the safest of all types. This is because it is less brittle which means it is less likely to generate airborne microorganisms and also making them less likely to be inhaled. But when inhaled it can cause the same problems related to health, as well as others. Now, because it is the only classified as a mineral serpentine, as the fibers that make up a variety of chrysolite are closed. It is composed of crystals that are formed in sheets.

The chrysotile asbestos is asbestos most commonly used type comprising nearly 95% of total asbestos used commercially in the United States. And due to widespread use of this type of asbestos, it is for most asbestos-related health problems like mesothelioma and tumors in animals. The remaining five types of asbestos are minerals of the amphibole, which means they consist of straight fibers and needles.

Tremolite asbestos

This type of asbestos was not used commercially, but has been used commercially in products such as talcum powder. The color varies from creamy white tremolite and dark green and commonly found in metamorphic rocks. Now, this form of asbestos is the major pollutant of the infamous vermiculite (mineral natural to extend the application of heat) mine Libby, Montana.

Actinolite asbestos

Not commonly used in industry, actinolite asbestos may still be present in the asbestos products. When inhaled asbestos actinolite can cause serious lung damage and mesothelioma can occur. Variants of non-fibrous actinolite do not cause the same health problems that are associated with exposure to forms of asbestos used commercially, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. Generally present in green, white or gray color that this type is related to tremolite, but have more quantities of iron.

Amosite asbestos

Asbestos is also known as amosite or brown asbestos grunerite is used for various commercial purposes. This is generally used in the insulation sheet and cement pipes. He directly and fragile fibers that are light gray to brown in color. Once he became the second most common type of asbestos. But recently due to health concerns and the emergence of mesothelioma production and commercial use of this mineral is banned in many countries.

Crocidolite asbestos

The most dangerous asbestos, crocidolite asbestos is thought to opposite spectrum of chrysotile asbestos. Crocidolite asbestos is also known as blue asbestos is made of blue fibers directly. This type with amosite persisted in the lungs for a long time and is dangerous to the health of those exposed. Crocidolite occurs naturally in countries such as Australia, South Africa, Bolivia, the former Soviet Union and Canada.

Anthophyllite asbestos

It is brittle white fibers which are composed of crystals that have an appearance chain. Formed by the breakdown of talc in the ultramafic rocks, anthophyllite is a common contaminant of talc. Such as tremolite and actinolite, it is not used for commercial or industrial purposes as such but is still used in vermiculite minerals commonly added to the soil gardening.

Posted in: Asbestos,Mesothelioma,Types