Mesothelioma info

Asbestos is a group of minerals with long, thin fibrous crystals. The word “asbestos” is derived from a Greek adjective meaning inextinguishable. The Greeks termed asbestos the “miracle mineral” because of its soft and pliant properties, as well as its ability to withstand heat.

Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century due to its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, sound absorption and tensile strength. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. Asbestos is used in brake shoes and gaskets for its heat resistance, and in the past was used on electric oven and hotplate wiring for its electrical insulation at elevated temperature, and in buildings for its flame-retardant and insulating properties, tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals.

There are two families of asbestos, the Amphibole family and the Serpentine family, which differ based on the structure of their mineral crystals.

Amphibole Asbestos

The mineral fibers in Amphibole asbestos are chain-like, while Serpentine mineral fibers are in layered sheets. This can be seen under the microscope. There are five different types of Amphiboles: Amosite (”brown asbestos”), Crocidolite (”blue asbestos”), Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite.

Amosite

A type of Amphibole asbestos that is made up of mineral fibers formed by crystals that look chain-like. Amosite is also called “brown asbestos” takes its name from the asbestos mines of South Africa.

Crocidolite

Crocidolite is one of the five types of Amphibole asbestos. This means the fibers in Crocidolite are made up of mineral crystals that look like chains. Crocidolite is often called “blue asbestos”, and occurs naturally in Austrial, South Africa, the former Soviet Union, and Canada.

Actinolite

One of the more rare forms of asbestos. It is a mineral with fibers that form in manner of the Amphibole family - which means the fibers are made of crystals that are chain-like in appearance. Like two other rare forms of asbestos, Tremolite and Anthophyllite, Actinolite is found mainly as a contaminant in other minerals. Actinolite fibers were not not used commercially as were chrysotile, amosite, and, to a lesser extent, crocidolite.

Anthophyllite

One of the more rare forms of asbestos. It is a mineral with fibers that form in the Amphibole family - which means the fibers are made of crystals that are chain-like in appearance. Like two other rare forms of asbestos, Tremolite and Actinolite, Anthophyllite is found mainly as a contaminant in other minerals. Anthophyllite was not use commercially as were chrysotile, amosite, and, to a lesser extent, crocidolite.

Chrysotile

The most common type of asbestos, it is also known as “white asbestos”, and Chrysotile comprises approximately 90%-95% of all asbestos in the United States. It is made up of minerals which crystallize in the “serpentine” pattern, which means its crystals are formed in sheets. Chrysotile has been linked with all asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, lunc cnacer, cand mesothelioma.

Asbestos Containing Materials

Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century due to its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, sound absorption and tensile strength. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. Asbestos is used in brake shoes and gaskets for its heat resistance, and in the past was used on electric oven and hotplate wiring for its electrical insulation at elevated temperature, and in buildings for its flame-retardant and insulating properties, tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals. Unfortunately, once asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they tend to remain in the body for many years.

These materials containg asbestos fibers:

• Cement Pipes

• Elevator Brake Shoes

• Cement Wallboard

• HVAC Duct Insulation

• Cement Siding

• Boiler Insulation

• Asphalt Floor Tile

• Breaching Insulation

• Vinyl Floor Tile

• Ductwork Flexible

• Fabric Connections

• Vinyl Sheet Flooring

• Cooling Towers

• Flooring Backing

• Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block)

• Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile)

• Heating and Electrical Ducts

• Acoustical Plaster

• Electrical Panel Partitions

• Decorative Plaster

• Electrical Cloth

• Textured Paints/Coatings

• Electric Wiring Insulation

• Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels

• Chalkboards

• Spray-Applied Insulation

• Roofing Shingles

• Blown-in Insulation

• Roofing Felt

• Fireproofing Materials

• Base Flashing

• Taping Compounds (thermal)

• Thermal Paper Products

• Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations)

• Fire Doors

• High Temperature Gaskets

• Caulking/Putties

• Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops

• Adhesives

• Laboratory Gloves

• Wallboard

• Fire Blankets

• Joint Compounds

• Fire Curtains

• Vinyl Wall Coverings

• Elevator Equipment Panels

Asbestos fibers are extremely durable and are heat and fire resistant. Asbestos also serves as a strong binder for other materials. Because of these properties, asbestos was used in over 3000 different products in a variety of industrial, commercial, and consumer products.