Asbestos Is The Name Given To A Number Of Naturally Occurring Fibrous Silicate Minerals That Have Been Mined For Their Useful Properties Such As Thermal Insulation

The three most common types of asbestos are: a) chrysotile, b) amosite and c) crocidolite. Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos and a member of the Serpentine mineral group is the commonest. Asbestos can only be identified under a microscope. Asbestos differs from other minerals in its crystal development.

The crystal formation of asbestos is in the form of long thin fibers. Asbestos is divided into two mineral groups Serpentine and Amphibole. The division between the two types of asbestos is based upon the crystalline structure. Serpentines have a sheet or layered structure where amphiboles have a
chain-like structure. As the only member of the serpentine group, Chrysotile( A, B) is the most
common type of asbestos found in buildings. Chrysotile makes up approximately 90%-95% of all
asbestos contained in buildings in the United States.

In the amphibole group, there are five types of asbestos. As an acronym for the Asbestos Mines of
South Africa, Amosite is the second most prevalent type of asbestos found in building materials.
Amosite is also known as "brown asbestos." Next, there is Crocidolite or "blue asbestos," which is
an asbestos found in specialized high temperature applications. The other three types
(Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite) are rare and found mainly as contaminants in other
minerals. Asbestos deposits can be found throughout the world and are still mined in Australia,
Canada, South Africa, and the former Soviet Union.

Why is asbestos a hazard?
Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when distributed.
These fibers get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they may cause
significant health problems. Researchers still have not determined a "safe level" of exposure but
we know the greater and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestos
related disease. Some of these health problems include:

a) Asbestosis - a lung disease first found in naval shipyard workers. As asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may become trapped in the lung tissue. The body tries to dissolve the fibers by producing an acid. This acid, due to the chemical resistance of the fiber, does little to damage the fiber, but may scar the surrounding tissue.

Eventually, this scarring may become so severe that the lungs cannot function. The latency period ( meaning the time it takes for the disease to become developed) is often 25-40 years.b) Mesothelioma - a cancer of the pleura ( the outer lining of the lung nad chest cavity) and/ or the peritoneum ( the lining of the abdominal wall). This form of cancer is peculiar because the only known cause is from asbestos exposure.
 
The latency period for mesothelioma is often 15-30 years. c) Lung Cancer - caused by asbestos. The effects of lung cancer are often greatly increased by cigarette smoking ( by about 50%). Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract can also be caused by asbestos. The latency period for cancer is often 15-30 years.

Despite the common misconception, asbestos does not cause head-aches, sore muscles or other
immediate symptoms. As mentioned above, the effects often go unnoticed for 15-40 years.

When is asbestos a hazard?
Asbestos is not always an immediate hazard. In fact, if asbestos can be maintained in good
condition, it is recommended that it be left alone and periodic surveillance performed to monitor
its condition. It is only when asbestos containing materials (ACM) are disturbed or the materials
become damaged that it becomes a hazard. When the materials become damaged, the fibers
separate and may then become airborne. In the asbestos industry, the term ‘friable’ is used to
describe asbestos that can be reduced to dust by hand pressure. ‘Non-friable’ means asbestos that
is too hard to be reduce to dust by hand. Non-friable materials, such as transite siding and floor
tiles are not regulated provided it does not become friable. Machine grinding, sanding and
dry-buffing are ways of causing non-friable materials to become friable.

If you have ever been exposed to asbestos directly or indirectly, you may need an attorney specializing in the field of Asbestos and Asbestos related litigiation. Contact an Asbestos Lawyer in Richmond now and obtain a free case review!

	Did You Know?
	Employer must re-test, & examine monitored systems, when the work place fuctions or area is changed The employer must reinitiate monitoring whenever there has been a change in the production, process, control equipment, personnel or work practices that may result in new or additional exposures to asbestos above the PEL and/or EL, or when the employer has reason to suspect that a change may result in new or additional exposures above the PEL and/or EL.