About Asbestos - Chrysotile, Tremolite, Actinolite Asbestos Fibers
A Detailed Look at Asbestos
Asbestos is the name given to a family of six fibrous metamorphic minerals that are chemically inert, do not conduct heat or electricity, are insoluble and are without odor. The six types of asbestos are chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite and anthophylite. Asbestos is mined from metamorphic deposits and commonly used for a variety of purposes. Asbestos' combination of properties made it a valuable insulator, regularly used in buildings, automobiles, shipyards and household products.
An amphibole is a mineral that is composed of straight, needle-like fibers as opposed to the curled fibers of serpentine rocks. Of the six types of asbestos, five fall into the category of amphibole asbestos:
- Actinolite asbestos
- Amosite asbestos
- Anthophylite asbestos
- Crocidolite asbestos
- Tremolite asbestos
Types of Asbestos
Chrysotile Asbestos: Also referred to as white asbestos, chrysotile asbestos is most often used industrially because it is less likely to be inhaled (less friable) than other types of asbestos. Some evidence suggests that chrysotile asbestos is not as harmful as other types, even if inhaled. Chrysotile asbestos is obtained from serpentine rocks (rocks with curled fibers).
Amosite Asbestos: Also referred to as brown asbestos, amosite asbestos is used for commercial purposes such as heat and pipe insulation. Amosite asbestos is an amphibole.
Crocidolite Asbestos: Also referred to as blue asbestos, crocidolite asbestos is an amphibole and generally viewed as the most dangerous of the group.
Tremolite Asbestos: Tremolite asbestos is not often used industrially, though it can be found in certain commercial products such as talcum powder.
Actinolite Asbestos: Like tremolite, actinolite asbestos is not often used industrially. Airborne actinolite asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and severely damaging to the lungs.
Anthophylite Asbestos: Like tremolite and actinolite, anthophylite asbestos is not often used industrially, though it can occasionally be found in certain vermiculites (natural minerals that expand with the application of heat).
Asbestos Risk Factors
The inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause a wide variety of asbestos lung diseases. The most hazardous asbestos lung disease is malignant mesothelioma, a rare, yet serious form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium (a membrane that lines various body cavities). In addition to malignant mesothelioma, prolonged asbestos exposure can lead to asbestosis and/or lung cancer.
Malignant Mesothelioma: The three types of malignant mesothelioma include pleural mesothelioma (affecting the thoracic cavity), peritoneal mesothelioma (affecting the abdominal cavity) and pericardial mesothelioma (affecting the heart sac). Malignant mesothelioma is most common in white males who are 50 or older.
Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a type of inflammatory lung disease consisting of severe scarring of the lung tissue (fibrosis), which causes shortness of breath. Also, someone suffering from asbestosis is five times more likely to develop a cancerous tumor when exposed to asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Lung Cancer: Prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can lead to asbestos lung cancer (not to be confused with pleural mesothelioma). Smokers exposed to asbestos materials are more likely to develop asbestos lung cancer than non-smokers.
Clinical research at facilities such as the University of California's Keck School of Medicine is essential in development of new cancer treatment modalities.