| It seems that lately all news regarding asbestos | | | | automotive industry in things such as brake pads, |
| usage is negative. It causes lung cancer and | | | | gaskets, and clutch plates. Chrysotile is a |
| mesothelioma, and it has been linked to a number | | | | component in firefighter's gear as well, in things |
| of other cancers and health risks. However, many | | | | such as fire blankets and clothing. As you can see, |
| people do not realize that asbestos is still used | | | | including chrysotile fibers in material is a huge |
| today because it has many positive characteristics | | | | advantage because of its fire retardant properties. |
| in the construction world. | | | | Amphibole-type asbestos is slightly less common |
| Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that | | | | than chrysotile, but it is now mostly banned. It |
| comes in six different forms, divided into two | | | | was commonly used in insulated ceiling tiles, pipes, |
| families. The serpentine family contains chrysotile, | | | | asbestos-cement sheets, and thermal and |
| and the amphibole group has the other five types: | | | | chemical insulating materials. |
| tremolite, actinolite, anthophyllite, amosite, and | | | | Asbestos, despite all of its good qualities, also has |
| crocidolite. The main characteristic of asbestos is | | | | some very negative side effects. A specific type |
| that it is occurs in bundles of fibers that can easily | | | | of lung cancer, called mesothelioma, is caused by |
| be sheared into smaller threads that have high | | | | asbestos. Regular lung cancer can be a sign of |
| length to diameter ratios. Additionally, asbestos | | | | asbestos poisoning as well. Additionally, asbestos |
| has high tensile strength and are flexible enough | | | | exposure has been linked to other cancers |
| to be spun into cloth or mats of fiber. Lastly, they | | | | including gastrointestinal, colorectal, throat, and |
| look like the protein cellulose, which is a major | | | | esophageal. Lastly, this silicate mineral can cause |
| component of plant structure. | | | | other problems including asbestos warts, pleural |
| As a silicate mineral, asbestos has several major | | | | plaques in the lungs, and diffuse pleural thickening. |
| qualities which make it extremely useful in | | | | Because of the many cons related to asbestos |
| construction and other industries. Silicates tend to | | | | and your health, it is now banned from multiple |
| be flame retardant, resistant towards chemical | | | | uses. However, because of its pros, there are still |
| action, insulating towards electricity, thermally | | | | industries that utilize asbestos as long as it is |
| unaffected, and not easily biodegraded. Thus, it | | | | treated to prevent it from flaking into people's |
| plays a major role in several industries. | | | | lungs and causing disease. |
| The serpentine family of asbestos includes | | | | If you or someone you know has developed |
| chrysotile, which is the most commonly used | | | | mesothelioma as a result of unsafe asbestos, you |
| form of the mineral. Serpentine asbestos is used | | | | may be entitled to financial compensation. For |
| in building materials such as drywall, plaster, vinyl | | | | more information regarding this deadly disease, |
| flooring, shingles, roofing tiles, counter tops, pipe, | | | | check out the law firm of Williams Kherkher |
| fireproofing, and caulk. It is also utilized in the | | | | today. |