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The Dangers of Exposure to Asbestos Asbestos was used in thousands of commercial products prior to when it was banned. Research suggests that exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and other health issues. You can't tell if something is asbestos-containing simply by looking at it and you are unable to smell or taste it. Asbestos is only detectable when the substances that contain it are broken, drilled, or chipped. Chrysotile At its height, chrysotile comprised the majority of asbestos production. It was utilized in a variety of industries like construction, insulation, and fireproofing. However, if workers were exposed for long periods to this toxic substance, they could develop mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases. Since the 1960s, when mesothelioma began to become an issue, the use of asbestos has been reduced significantly. It is still present in a variety of products we use today. Chrysotile is safe to use in the event that you have a complete safety and handling plan in place. Personnel handling chrysotile aren't exposed to a significant amount of risk at the current limit of exposure. The inhalation of airborne particles has been strongly associated with lung fibrosis and lung cancer. This has been proven to be true for both the intensity (dose) and time span of exposure. One study that studied a factory that used almost all chrysotile as its friction materials compared mortality rates at this factory with national death rates. The study found that after 40 years of manufacturing low levels of chrysotile there was no significant rise in mortality rates at this facility. As opposed to other forms of asbestos, chrysotile fibres tend to be shorter. They are able to enter the lungs and then enter the bloodstream. They are therefore more likely to cause health issues than fibres with longer lengths. When chrysotile is mixed with cement, it is extremely difficult for the fibres to be airborne and pose health risks. Fibre cement products are extensively used in various parts of the world including hospitals and schools. Research has proven that amphibole asbestos such as amosite or crocidolite is not as likely than chrysotile in causing diseases. These amphibole types have been the most common cause of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses. When the cement and chrysotile are combined and cured, a tough and flexible product is created which is able to withstand the most extreme weather conditions and environmental hazards. It is also simple to clean after use. Professionals can safely dispose of asbestos fibres after they have been removed. Amosite Asbestos is a grouping of fibrous silicates found in various types of rock formations. It is composed of six general groups: amphibole, serpentine as well as tremolite, anthophyllite, and crocidolite (IARC 1973). Asbestos minerals comprise thin, long fibers that vary in length from fine to broad. They can also be curled or straight. They can be found in nature as bundles or individual fibrils. Asbestos is also found in a powder form (talc), or mixed with other minerals to create talcum powder or vermiculite. These are commonly used as consumer products, including baby powder, cosmetics, and face powder. The most extensive asbestos use occurred during the first two-thirds period of the twentieth century where it was used in insulation, shipbuilding, fireproofing and other construction materials. The majority of occupational exposures to asbestos fibres occurred in the air, but some workers also were exposed to asbestos-bearing rock fragments and contaminated vermiculite. Exposures varied according to the industry, time frame and geographical location. The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is mainly caused by inhalation. However there are workers who have been exposed via skin contact or eating food that is contaminated. Asbestos can be found in the the natural weathering of mined minerals and the degradation of contaminated products like insulation, car brakes and clutches, and floor and ceiling tiles. It is becoming clear that non-commercial amphibole fibers can also be carcinogenic. These are fibres don't form the tightly interwoven fibrils that are found in the amphibole and serpentine minerals, but instead are flexible, loose and needle-like. These fibres can be found in mountain sandstones, cliffs and sandstones from a variety of nations. Asbestos can be absorbed into the environment in a variety ways, such as in airborne particles. It can also be released into soil or water. This is a result of both natural (weathering and erosion of asbestos-bearing rocks) and human-caused (disintegration and removal of asbestos-containing wastes from landfill sites) sources. Asbestos contamination of surface and ground waters is primarily due to natural weathering. However it can also be caused anthropogenically, such as by the milling and mining of asbestos-containing materials demolition and dispersal and the disposal of contaminated waste in landfills (ATSDR 2001). Inhalation exposure to asbestos fibres remains the main reason for illness among those exposed to asbestos at work. Crocidolite Inhalation exposure to asbestos is the most popular way people are exposed dangerous fibres, which can then enter the lungs and cause serious health issues. college station asbestos attorney include asbestosis and mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can happen in a variety of ways including contact with contaminated clothing, or building materials. The risks of exposure are more pronounced when crocidolite which is the asbestos in the blue form, is involved. Crocidolite is a smaller, more fragile fibers that are more easy to breathe and can be lodged deeper into lung tissue. It has been associated with more mesothelioma cancer cases than other asbestos types. The six main types of asbestos are chrysotile amosite and tremolite. They are epoxiemite, tremol anthophyllite, and actinolite. Amosite and chrysotile are two of the most commonly used forms of asbestos. They comprise 95% of the asbestos used in commercial construction. The other four forms haven't been as widely utilized however, they could be found in older buildings. They aren't as hazardous as 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. Many studies have discovered an connection between asbestos exposure and stomach cancer. Several studies have found a link between asbestos exposure and stomach. The evidence is contradictory. Certain researchers have reported an overall SMR (standardized mortality ratio) of 1.5 (95% range of CI: 0.7-3.6) for all asbestos-related workers as well as an SMR of 1.24 (95 percent 95% CI: 0.76-2.5) for workers working in chrysotile mining and mills. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classed all asbestos types as carcinogenic. All kinds of asbestos may cause mesothelioma or other health issues, however the risks are different based on how much exposure people are exposed to, the kind of asbestos involved as well as the length of their exposure and the manner in which it is inhaled or ingested. IARC has stated that the best choice for individuals is to avoid all types of asbestos. However, if a person has been exposed to asbestos in the past and are suffering from an illness, such as mesothelioma or other respiratory diseases, they should seek guidance from their GP or NHS 111. Amphibole Amphibole belongs to a group of minerals that form long prism or needle-like crystals. They are an inosilicate mineral made up of double chains of SiO4 molecules. They have a monoclinic arrangement of crystals, however some have an orthorhombic structure. The general formula of an amphibole is A0-1B2C5T8O22(OH,F)2. The double chains consist of (Si,Al)O4 tetrahedrons that are linked in rings of six. Tetrahedrons may be separated by strips of octahedral site. Amphiboles occur in both igneous and metamorphic rock. They are usually dark and hard. They are sometimes difficult to differentiate from pyroxenes since they share similar hardness and colors. They also have a similar cleavage. Their chemistry allows for a variety of compositions. The chemical compositions and crystal structure of the various mineral groups in amphibole can be used to identify them. The five types of asbestos in the amphibole family include chrysotile, anthophyllite, amosite, crocidolite, and actinolite. While the most commonly used asbestos type is chrysotile each type has its own unique characteristics. The most hazardous type of asbestos, crocidolite is composed of sharp fibers that are simple to inhale into the lung. Anthophyllite is yellowish to brown in color and is made up of iron and magnesium. This type of stone was once used in products like cement and insulation materials. Amphiboles are a challenge to analyze due to their complicated chemical structure and the numerous substitutions. An in-depth analysis of the composition of amphibole minerals requires special methods. EDS, WDS and XRD are the most widely used methods for identifying amphiboles. However, these methods can only give approximate identifications. For instance, these techniques cannot differentiate between magnesio hornblende and magnesio hastingsite. Additionally, these techniques do not distinguish between ferro-hornblende and pargasite.