Facts on asbestos fibers

Facts on asbestos fibers chemistryworld.com

Facts on asbestos fibers

Health facts

Asbestos and your health

Asbestos is a risk that is very potential for health if the fibers are suspended in the air and also inhaled into the lungs. Inhaling asbestos fibers into the lungs can cause various diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

We are all exposed to low levels of asbestos in the air we breathe every day. Ambient or background air usually contains between 10 and 200 fibers per 1,000 liters (or cubic meters) of air. Whether a person will develop asbestos-related diseases depends on various circumstances or exposure factors; for example, the level and duration of exposure, the length of time since the first exposure, the type of fiber, and the concurrent exposure to tobacco smoke and other carcinogens.

A small number of cases of asbestos-related diseases occur each year in people who have never worked with asbestos products. The low number of cases makes it difficult to determine the exact cause of asbestos disease or exposure which causes the causal factors.

For more information about the health risks associated with asbestos in the home environment, see the Asbestos Guide for households and the general public. This external link will open in a new window.

Asbestos related diseases

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may remain deep in the lungs. They can nest in the lung tissue and also cause inflammation, scarring, and some more serious asbestos-related diseases, which usually take years, if not decades, to develop.

The four main diseases related to asbestos are listed below. A person can show signs of more than one of these diseases including.

Pleural plaques

the area of ​​white scar tissue, smooth, lifts up on the outer layer of the lungs, inner chest wall and diaphragm

often the initial signs of asbestos exposure

not all people who are exposed to asbestos develop plaque, probably because of differences in their immune response to asbestos fibers.

people with pleural plaque as the only symptom associated with asbestos they usually have little lung function disorder.

Asbestosis

a chronic condition caused by inflammation or scar tissue in the lungs

causing shortness of breath, coughing and permanent lung damage

caused by heavy or prolonged exposure to asbestos.

Lung cancer

cancerous tumors that mainly occur in the lining of the tube leading to the lungs, smaller airways or the middle part of the lungs

the risk of developing lung cancer increases in people who also smoke or have a pre-existing lung disease.

Mesothelioma

One of the rare forms of cancer from the tissue that lines the body cavity, specifically the chest and abdomen

in Australia, about 90% of all mesothelioma patients have a significant history of asbestos exposure.

Facts on asbestos fibers indiamart.com

Asbestos Cancer Facts and Statistics

Cancer related to asbestos is a type of cancer that can be caused by asbestos exposure. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed asbestos-related cancer in the United States.

Mesothelioma is one of the second most diagnosed cancers caused by asbestos. This affects approximately 3,000 people in the US each year and almost exclusively due to naturally occurring minerals. Two other cancers that are confirmed to be caused by asbestos include ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer.

Gastrointestinal cancers as well as colorectal cancer are associated with asbestos, but more research is needed to establish a complete causal relationship. In some studies, an increased risk of esophageal and kidney cancer has been reported among those exposed to asbestos.

Confirmed Asbestos Cancer

The four cancers that were determined had a causal relationship with asbestos including lung cancer, mesothelioma cancer, ovarian cancer and also laryngeal cancer. Facts and statistics on each cancer include:

Lung cancer

The National Cancer Institute first confirmed that asbestos caused lung cancer in 1942.

In 1986, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration stated that lung cancer is the biggest risk for people in the United States who face the danger of asbestos in the workplace.

About 4 percent of all lung cancer cases in the US are associated with asbestos exposure.

Most asbestos-related lung cancers take between 15 and 35 years to develop from the time of initial asbestos exposure.

The combination of exposure to asbestos and smoking significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer.

I

ncreased Cancer Risk

In addition, several studies have shown an increased risk of gastrointestinal, colorectal, esophageal as well as kidney cancer among those exposed to asbestos. However, research is not convincing about this cancer.

Gastrointestinal cancer

About 275,000 people are diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer in the US every year.

Gastrointestinal cancer can affect the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, and other digestive organs.

Although several studies have shown a clear relationship between exposure to asbestos and gastrointestinal cancer, many researchers believe that more independent studies are needed to confirm the relationship.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer can develop in the large intestine, rectum, or appendix.

In 1986, Occupational Safety and Health Administration added colorectal cancer to the list of cancers that doctors should look for during asbestos examinations.

Several studies have shown an association between colorectal cancer and asbestos exposure, but more research is needed to support it.

Facts on asbestos fibers vinsonlawoffice.com

3 Types of Asbestos Fiber

On behalf of the Asbestos Network posted at Asbestos on Wednesday, June 24, 2015.

It must be admitted that all forms of asbestos are considered very dangerous for human health. In total, there are six types of asbestos fibers, all of which are too small to be seen by the human eye. They are smaller than a human hair and can be trapped in the lungs if inhaled. After being trapped in the lungs, deadly asbestos-related diseases can develop, affecting one's respiratory system and ultimately causing death.

We will see three of the six types of asbestos fiber today:

Chrysotile

Chrysotile asbestos is one of the most widely used types of asbestos fiber today. It is used in cement building materials, friction materials, textiles, and other applications throughout the world. This accounts for up to 95% of asbestos used in U.S. buildings. Chrysotile fiber is white, flexible and curly. While its use has declined in the United States, a large number of workers are still in contact with chrysotile asbestos today.

Tremolite

Tremolite fibers differ from chrysotile asbestos fibers in their shape and color. According to PennMedicine.org, the color of tremolite fibers varies from milky white to dark green. They are sharp fibers that are easy to breathe and digest, making them one of the most dangerous types of asbestos. While tremolite asbestos is no longer mined or used in commercial products, asbestos is responsible for many individual asbestos-related diseases. In the past, many miners came into contact with these substances while working.

Amosite

Like tremolite asbestos, amocyte fibers are also sharp. The needle-like shape makes it easier for fibers to be trapped in the lungs and other body parts after inhaling or swallowing. In addition to chrysotile asbestos, amosite is the second most common type of asbestos found in different buildings and products.