Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral which has been mined and manufactured for use in different forms. It has been extensively used in the building industry because of its strength, durability and fire resistant properties.
Types of Asbestos
The two main types of asbestos used in buildings and construction include bonded or tightly bound asbestos and friable or loosely bound asbestos.
Bonded Asbestos
Asbestos found in residential homes. It is made up of a bonding substance, such as cement, and up to 15% of asbestos and is also commonly known as Fibro, asbestos cement or AC sheeting.
Friable Asbestos
Most commonly found in commercial and industrial buildings for fireproofing, sound proofing and insulations.
It can also be found in stoves, hot water systems and vinyl and linoleum floor coverings. This type of asbestos is made up of 100% asbestos and disintegrates, turning to dust upon touching. It must be removed by hose with an A Class certificate.
Asbestos and Your Health
Asbestos Cancer: Types
There are different types of asbestos cancer. These include lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Lung Cancer
There are two types of lung cancer:
- small cell lung (SCLC) and
- non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Lung Cancer SCLC is the least common form of lung cancer and accounts for about 20% of cases of lung cancer. Small cell lung vancer occurs almost exclusively in cigarette smokers. It is the most aggressive type of lung cancer at the time of diagnosis and usually has spread to many parts of the body.
Lung cancer non-small cell is the most common type of lung cancer to occur in approximately 80% of cases of lung cancer. Lung cancer non-small cell can be caused by exposure to asbestos.
Types of Mesothelioma:
Pleural mesothelioma
The pleura is the lining of the chest cavity. A cancer of this coating is known as pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include the lack of breath chest pain and cough.
Peritoneal mesothelioma
The peritoneum is the lining of the abdomen. A cancer of the abdominal wall known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction, and nausea.
How does asbestos affect the development of cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma?
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can be trapped in the body?s internal organs such as the lungs. Asbestos fibers can remain in lung tissue for life. Asbestos fibers in the body can trigger chemical reactions that can lead to cancer of asbestos, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. asbestos cancers usually have a long latency period, it can develop decades after exposure to asbestos has occurred.
