Just What Is Asbestos?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Many victims find themselves asking questions about the substance and what is it, where it comes from and how they might have been exposed to it.

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous metamorphic minerals - chrysotile, tremolite, actinolite, amosite, crocidolite and anthophyllite. Of the hydrous magnesium silicate variety, asbestos was long used in a variety of industrial and commercial settings. In fact, it was once viewed as a "miracle mineral" and was frequently used as an insulator. Resistant to heat and fire and high in tensile strength, asbestos was used for insulation in buildings, automobile parts and the shipbuilding trades. Miners, harvesting the hazardous mineral on a daily basis, were most at risk of developing Mesothelioma because of the amount of direct asbestos exposure they faced.

Health hazards associated with asbestos have been known since the late 19th century. They were, however, ignored because of the prosperity of the trade. With increased public awareness and growing health concerns, asbestos was finally regulated by the United States government under section 112 of the Clean Air Act of 1970.

There are several different types of asbestos, including:

White asbestos - Chrysotile, CAS No. 12001-29-5, is obtained from serpentine rocks which are common throughout the world. Its idealized chemical formula is Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4. Chrysotile fibers are curly as opposed to fibers from amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite which are needlelike. Chrysotile, along with other types of asbestos, has been banned in dozens of countries and is only allowed in the United States and Europe in very limited circumstances. Chrysotile has been used more than any other type of asbestos and accounts for about 95 percent of the asbestos found in buildings in America. Applications where chrysotile might be used include the use of joint compound. It is more flexible than amphibole types of asbestos; it can be spun and woven into fabric. The most common use is within corrugated asbestos cement roof sheets typically used for outbuildings, warehouses and garages. It is also found as flat sheets used for ceilings and sometimes for walls and floors. Numerous other items have been made containing chrysotile including brake linings, cloth behind fuses (for fire protection), pipe insulation, floor tiles, and rope seals for boilers.

Brown asbestos - Amosite, CAS No. 12172-73-5, is a trade name for the amphiboles belonging to the Cummingtonite-Grunerite solid solution series, commonly from Africa, named as an acronym from Asbestos Mines of South Africa. One formula given for amosite is Fe7Si8O22(OH)2. It is found most frequently as a fire retardant in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles.

Blue asbestos - Crocidolite, CAS No. 12001-28-4, is an amphibole found primarily in southern Africa, but also in Australia. It is the fibrous form of the amphibole riebeckite. One formula given for crocidolite is Na2Fe2+3Fe3+2Si8O22(OH)2.

Tremolite asbestos - Tremolite asbestos is not commonly used for industrial purposes. It was, however, sometimes used in talcum powder.

Actinolite asbestos - Like tremolite, actinolite asbestos is not often used industrially. Airborne actinolite asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and can be severely damaging to the lungs.

Anthophyllite asbestos - Like tremolite and actinolite, anthophylite asbestos is not often used industrially, though it can occasionally be found in certain types of vermiculite (natural minerals that expand with the application of heat).

Source: Mesothelioma Research Foundation Of America www.mesorfa.org.

Facts About Asbestos

There are a number of asbestos facts that Mesothelioma victims and family members should be aware of. They include:

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, most are expelled, but some can become lodged in the lungs and remain there throughout life. Fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation. Enough scarring and inflammation can affect breathing, leading to disease.

People are more likely to experience asbestos-related disorders when they are exposed to high concentrations of asbestos, are exposed for longer periods of time, and/or are exposed more often.

Inhaling longer, more durable asbestos fibers (such as tremolite and other amphiboles) contributes to the severity of asbestos-related disorders.

Exposure to asbestos, including tremolite, can increase the likelihood of lung cancer, Mesothelioma, and non-malignant lung conditions such as asbestosis (restricted use of the lungs due to retained asbestos fibers) and changes in the lung lining.

Changes in the lining of the lungs (pleura) such as thickening, plaques, calcification, and fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) may be early signs of asbestos exposure. These changes can affect breathing more than previously thought. Pleural effusion can be an early warning sign for Mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs).

Most cases of asbestosis or lung cancer in workers occurred 15 years or more after the person was first exposed to asbestos.

Most cases of Mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after the first exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma has been diagnosed in asbestos workers, family members, and residents who live close to asbestos mines.

Health effects from asbestos exposure may continue to progress even after exposure is stopped.

Smoking or cigarette smoke, together with exposure to asbestos, greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer.

Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos.

Conditions Associated With Asbestos Exposure

There are a variety of conditions that can develop following asbestos exposure. Conditions include:

Asbestosis � This is a progressive, long-term disease of the lungs, but is not cancer. It can be fatal and may present with such symptoms as shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest tightness, loss of appetite, chest pain and a crackling sound in the lungs.

Mesothelioma � This is a rare cancer that can affect the lining of the lungs, heart or abdominal cavity. It is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos and can present with such symptoms as fluid development around the affected area, pain and weight loss.

Lung cancer � This is a malignant tumor that obstructs the air passages in the lungs. Smoking cigarettes can greatly increase the chances of a person developing lung cancer following asbestos exposure. Symptoms of this condition include wheezing, unexplained weight loss, labored breathing, coughing up blood, hoarseness and anemia.

Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos

People can be exposed to asbestos in a number of different working conditions. Family members of those exposed may also face exposure. If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related condition, obtaining professional help from a law firm is in order. To obtain free help in locating an experienced lawyer, contact us toll-free at 888.705.0395. You can also reach us by filling out a contact form on our website.

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