The idea that 'one fibre will kill' is not supported by
scientific evidence as everyone has had some exposure to asbestos fibres. The
burden of asbestos fibres in the lungs, resulting from typical background
exposure, appears to be tolerated by most people. Post-mortem studies of people
aged between 60 -79 years who had not died from asbestos-related diseases have
shown up to one million asbestos fibres per gram of dry lung tissue.
More on the Six Different Types of Asbestos Amosite Asbestos The commercial
production of amosite, or “brown” asbestos, ended within the last decade and
this type of asbestos is no longer mined. It was at one time, however, the
second-most commonly used form of asbestos and, as a result, many individuals
were exposed to it during its peak use. Amosite was employed as insulation in
factories and buildings, as well as both an acoustical and anti-condensation
material. Its use has been banned in most countries for approximately the last
30 years. Chrysotile Asbestos The most common type of asbestos, and only kind
that is still mined, chrysotile was the most widely used in the world’s
developed countries. Estimates show about 90-95% of all asbestos that remains
in buildings in the U.S. and Canada is of this variety. Because it was so
widely used, it accounts for the most health problems, though the companies
that mine it continue to attest to its safety. Chrysotile is most often used in
fireproofing and insulation products and was widely used aboard U.S. Navy ships
during World War II and the Korean War. Tremolite Asbestos As an amphibole
variety of asbestos fiber, tremolite asbestos is associated with the
development of malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers.
Like
other varieties of asbestos, tremolite asbestos is composed predominantly of
magnesium and can range from off-white to a dark green in color. Tremolite is
particularly common in vermiculite deposits. Tremolite-contaminated vermiculite
was responsible for the death of hundreds of miners in Libby, Montana who
worked at the W.R. Grace Vermiculite Mine. Crocidolite Asbestos Crocidolite
asbestos was rarely used and accounted for only 1.3% of all asbestos ever used
in the United States. Crocidolite occurs in naturally-formed bundles that are
long, sharp, and straight. This 'blue' asbestos is harder and more brittle than
other types of the mineral and can break easily, releasing dangerous
needle-like fibers that are easily inhaled. Crocidolite was only used in very
limited, specialized applications, including acidic or corrosive environments.
Anthophyllite Asbestos Anthophyllite asbestos, also known as “brown” asbestos,
is composed predominantly of iron and magnesium. Its fibers are known to be
long and flexible. Of the amphibole subclass, brown asbestos can be found in
many talc mines and has been associated with some respiratory disorders. It is
not conclusively associated with mesothelioma as other varieties of asbestos
are. Because of its rarity, anthophyllite was not often used in consumer
products, but could be found in some cement products and insulating materials.
Actinolite Asbestos Actinolite asbestos is a variety of the subclassification
of amphibole asbestos and, as such, its makeup and consistency is similar to
other forms of this subset. Made predominantly of magnesium, actinolite
asbestos is extremely rare and ranges in color from white to dark brown.
Actinolite was not known to be used in asbestos products because of its rarity,
but is known to be found in metamorphic rock. As with all forms of asbestos,
actinolite is a known carcinogen that can cause mesothelioma cancer.
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