Asbestos
Asbestos refers to a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers. Because it resists heat and does not conduct electricity, asbestos was used in many industries as insulation or fireproofing material; it can also be found in automotive brake shoes. When dust from asbestos fiber is inhaled or swallowed, it can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer. People who become ill from asbestos are usually exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in the workplace. Symptoms of asbestos-related health problems include shortness of breath, pain in the chest or abdomen, and coughing up blood. It can take from 10 to 40 years after first exposure for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear.
"Asbestos" is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers which can be separated into thin threads. These fibers are not affected by heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been widely used in many industries.
Four types of asbestos have been used commercially:
- Chrysotile (or white asbestos)
- Crocidolite (or blue asbestos)
- Amosite (usually has brown fibers)
- Anthophyllite (usually has gray fibers).
Chrysotile asbestos, with its curly fibers, is in the serpentine family of minerals. The other types of asbestos (which all have rod-like fibers) are known as amphiboles.
Asbestos fiber masses tend to break easily into a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. The fibers may be easily inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems, such as
lung cancer.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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