Asbestos Attorney: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

The Dangers of Exposure to Asbestos Asbestos was found in thousands of commercial products prior to when it was banned. Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and other health problems. It is not possible to tell by simply looking at a thing if it is made up of asbestos. You cannot smell or taste it. Asbestos is only detectable when the material containing it is broken, drilled, or chipped. Chrysotile At its peak, chrysotile accounted for 90% of the asbestos made. It was employed in many industries such as construction, fireproofing, and insulation. In the event that workers were exposed for long periods to this toxic material, they may develop mesothelioma as well as other asbestos related diseases. Since the 1960s, when mesothelioma became a problem, the use of asbestos has been reduced significantly. However, traces of it remain in common products that we use today. Chrysotile can be used in a safe manner when a thorough safety and handling plan is put in place. People who handle chrysotile do not exposed to an unreasonable amount of risk at current safe exposure levels. Inhaling airborne fibers is strongly linked to lung fibrosis and lung cancer. This has been proven for both the intensity (dose) and time of exposure. In one study, mortality rates were compared between a facility which used almost exclusively Chrysotile for the production of friction materials and the national death rate. The study revealed that after 40 years of converting low levels of chrysotile, there was no significant increase in mortality at this factory. Chrysotile fibres are typically shorter than other types of asbestos. They can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. This makes them much more likely to cause ill-health effects than fibres with longer lengths. lynwood asbestos lawyer is very difficult for chrysotile fibrous to be in the air or pose a health risk when mixed with cement. Fibre cement products are extensively used in many parts of the world including hospitals and schools. Research has proven that amphibole asbestos like amosite or crocidolite is less likely than chrysotile in causing diseases. These amphibole types have been the primary cause of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. When chrysotile mixes with cement, it forms a tough, flexible building product that can withstand harsh weather conditions and other environmental dangers. It is also very easy to clean after use. Asbestos fibers can be easily removed by a professional, and then eliminated. Amosite Asbestos refers to a set of silicate minerals with fibrous structure that are found naturally in specific kinds of rock formations. It is comprised of six main groups: amphibole, serpentine as well as tremolite, anthophyllite, and crocidolite (IARC 1973). Asbestos minerals consist of thin, long fibers that range in length from fine to broad. They can also be straight or curled. They can be found in nature as bundles or individual fibrils. Asbestos can also be found in a powder form (talc) or combined with other minerals to create talcum powder or vermiculite. These are commonly used as consumer goods, such as baby powder, cosmetics, and even face powder. Asbestos was heavily used in the first two thirds of the 20th century for shipbuilding insulation, fireproofing, insulation and other construction materials. The majority of asbestos-containing exposures to the workplace were in the air, however certain workers were also exposed to asbestos-bearing rock fragments and vermiculite that was contaminated. Exposures varied from industry to industry, from era to, and geographical location. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is mainly because of inhalation. However there have been instances of workers being exposed via skin contact or through eating foods contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos is currently only found in the environment due to the natural weathering of mined ore and the degradation of contaminated products such as insulation, car brakes, clutches and ceiling and floor tiles. It is becoming apparent that non-commercial amphibole fibres may also be carcinogenic. These fibers aren't weaved like the fibrils that are found in amphibole or serpentine, they are loose as well as flexible and needle-like. These fibers are found in the cliffs and mountains from a variety of countries. Asbestos is absorbed into the environment mostly as airborne particles, but it can also leach into soil and water. This can be caused by both natural (weathering of asbestos-bearing rock) as well as anthropogenic sources (disintegration of asbestos-containing wastes and disposal in landfill sites). Asbestos contamination of ground and surface water is mostly a result of natural weathering. However, it has also been triggered by anthropogenic activities such as milling and mining demolition and dispersal asbestos-containing materials and the disposal of contaminated dumping soils in landfills (ATSDR 2001). Exposure to asbestos-containing airborne fibers is the primary cause of illness in people exposed to asbestos at work. Crocidolite Inhalation exposure to asbestos is the most frequent way people are exposed to dangerous fibres, which can then get into the lungs and cause serious health problems. These include asbestosis and mesothelioma. Exposure to fibres can occur in different ways too, for example, contact with contaminated clothing or building materials. The dangers of exposure are heightened when crocidolite, the asbestos that is blue is involved. Crocidolite fibers are smaller and more fragile and therefore easier to inhale. They can also get deeper within lung tissues. It has been linked to more mesothelioma cases than other types of asbestos. The main kinds are chrysotile and amosite. Chrysotile and amosite are among the most commonly used forms of asbestos and account for 95% of the asbestos used in commercial construction. The other four have not been as widely utilized but they can be found in older buildings. They are not as hazardous as amosite and chrysotile, however they could be a risk when mixed with other asbestos minerals or mined in close proximity to other mineral deposits, like vermiculite or talc. Numerous studies have shown the connection between stomach cancer and asbestos exposure. The evidence is contradictory. Certain researchers have reported an SMR (standardized mortality ratio) of 1.5 (95% range of CI: 0.7-3.6) for all workers exposed to asbestos, while others have reported an SMR of 1.24 (95 percent CI: 0.76-2.5) for workers in chrysotile mines and mills. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classed all asbestos types as carcinogenic. All asbestos types can cause mesothelioma however, the risk is dependent on how much exposure is taken, what type of asbestos is involved, and the length of time that exposure lasts. IARC has declared that the best choice for individuals is to stay clear of all forms of asbestos. If you've been exposed in the past to asbestos and are suffering from a respiratory disorder or mesothelioma, you should see your physician or NHS111. Amphibole Amphiboles comprise a variety of minerals that form prism-like or needle-like crystals. They are a kind of inosilicate mineral made up of double chains of molecules of SiO4. They typically have a monoclinic structure in their crystals, although some have an orthorhombic structure. The general formula of an amphibole is A0-1B2C5T8O22(OH,F)2. The double chains are composed of (Si,Al)O4 tetrahedrons that are linked in rings of six. The tetrahedrons can be separated by octahedral strips. Amphiboles are found in metamorphic and igneous rock. They are usually dark and hard. Because of their similar hardness and color, they can be difficult for some people to distinguish from Pyroxenes. They also share a corresponding design of cleavage. However their chemistry permits the use of a variety of compositions. The various mineral groups within amphibole are identified by their chemical compositions as well as crystal structures. The five types of asbestos in the amphibole family include amosite, anthophyllite and chrysotile, crocidolite, and actinolite. Each type of asbestos has distinct characteristics. Crocidolite is considered to be the most hazardous asbestos kind. It is made up of sharp fibers that can be easily inhaled into the lungs. Anthophyllite can range from yellow to brown in color and is composed of iron and magnesium. This type of stone was once used in products such as cement and insulation materials. Amphibole minerals are difficult to study because of their an intricate chemical structure and many substitutions. Therefore, a thorough analysis of their composition requires special techniques. The most commonly used methods of identifying amphiboles include EDS, WDS, and XRD. These methods are only able to provide approximate identifications. For instance, these methods cannot distinguish between magnesiohastingsite and magnesio-hornblende. Furthermore, these techniques do not distinguish between ferro-hornblende as well as pargasite.