What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos refers to a group of six types of naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos minerals are made up of fine, durable fibers and are resistant to heat, fire and many chemicals. Once called the "miracle mineral" for such properties, asbestos was used in a slew of everyday products, from building materials to fireproof protective gear. It is now widely known that exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, a fatal cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, as well as other cancers and lung-related illnesses.



All six types of asbestos minerals have common characteristics. All forms of the mineral are odorless and tasteless. When asbestos is present in a material or product, it cannot be detected by a visual examination and must be tested in a laboratory. These properties often make it difficult to determine specific risks of asbestos exposure. However, any exposure to the group of minerals can lead to pleural mesothelioma and other diseases such as lung cancer or asbestosis.

It is important for individuals to know their risks, especially if they have a history of asbestos exposure. People who have had exposure should learn how to protect themselves through medical monitoring. Request a free packet from the Pleural Mesothelioma Center to learn about your risks and how to handle them.

Types of Asbestos Causing Pleural Mesothelioma:

In addition to these properties shared by all asbestos minerals, each of the six types has its own distinct features. The types are separated into categories based on the physical appearance of individual asbestos fibers. Asbestos minerals are divided into two categories: Serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos.

Serpentine asbesto:

Serpentine asbestos refers to asbestos made up of long, curly fibers. This category only includes one mineral, called chrysotile, also known as white asbestos. It was the most commercially used form of asbestos. Its flexible nature easily allowed it to be used in products and combined with other elements. Prior to widespread knowledge of pleural mesothelioma and its connection to asbestos, the mineral was hailed for its fireproof and heat-resistant qualities. It was used throughout the U.S. and all over the world, finding its way into products that still pose a hazard today.

Amphibole asbestos:

Amphibole asbestos includes the other five asbestos minerals: Amosite, crocidolite (also called blue asbestos), tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite. These minerals are composed of brittle, rod- or needle-shaped fibers. Because of these properties, amphibole fibers are more hazardous than chrysotile when inhaled or ingested. However, the same characteristics make it a bad candidate for use in commercial products. Exposure to amphibole asbestos is limited to exposure to naturally occurring deposits.

Pleural Mesothelioma and Potential Causes of Asbestos Exposure:

Asbestos exposure can cause a number of health problems. The most dangerous is pleural mesothelioma, also known as malignant pleural mesothelioma. This cancer is typically caused by one of three types of exposure to asbestos: Occupational exposure, secondary exposure or environmental exposure.

Occupational asbestos exposure

Occupational asbestos exposure refers to coming into contact with asbestos while on the job. Occupational exposure, the most common cause of pleural mesothelioma, generally happens with blue-collar jobs, and most examples came prior to the 1980s. At that time, federal laws began severely restricting the mineral's use. Individuals were most likely to suffer from asbestos exposure if they worked in construction, shipyards, power plants or other hazardous work environments.

Secondary asbestos exposure:

Secondary asbestos exposure includes occurrences within family members of asbestos workers. Men who worked with asbestos brought fibers home on their dirty clothes each night. Then wives or other family members shook out the clothing to get rid of asbestos-laden dust, unknowingly exposing themselves and others to the deadly substance.

Environmental asbestos exposure:

Environmental asbestos exposure is any indirect exposure, caused either by environmental pollution or by naturally occurring asbestos. Naturally occurring asbestos deposits have been found throughout the country, particularly in parts of California and Montana. In these areas, simple outdoor activities such as gardening or riding a bicycle may disturb asbestos fibers and release them into the air, where people may ingest or inhale them. Similarly, environmental exposure may occur as a result of nearby asbestos mining or manufacturing. This can lead to air and soil pollution that leaves the surrounding area contaminated with asbestos.