What Are the Different Types of Asbestos? 2024

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer that takes years to develop in noticeable ways, and thousands of people are diagnosed with this condition each year. It’s vital to know the types of asbestos, how this substance causes mesothelioma, and what you can do if you are diagnosed with the condition.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., can provide effective legal counsel if you believe you have grounds to file any type of asbestos-related civil suit. This is a difficult type of case that will require extensive research into various types of records, such as your employment history, residence records, previous places of employment, and much more. We accept cases that many other attorneys won’t and are fully committed to success with our clients’ cases.

Types of Asbestos

It is important to understand that every type of asbestos presents a severe health risk. Asbestos contamination can be extremely difficult to detect, even in controlled environments, and it is possible for even small amounts of this substance to cause severe adverse effects on anyone who comes into contact with it in any form.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that exists in two main forms: chrysotile, known as white asbestos, and amphibole asbestos, which includes several subtypes:

• Actinolite asbestos was formerly used to produce materials such as insulation, drywall, paint, and cement.
• Amosite asbestos, also called brown asbestos, has also been used to create insulation, cement, roofing materials, and other construction materials.
• Anthophyllite asbestos is a rarer form of asbestos previously used to manufacture insulation and cement.
• Crocidolite asbestos, also called blue asbestos, is the most dangerous type of asbestos as it contains incredibly fine fibers that are very easily inhaled. This substance used to be commonly used to manufacture cement, insulation, and tiles.
• Tremolite asbestos has very high heat resistance, and the fibers can be woven into fabrics. While it is no longer mined, it was formerly used to manufacture various products such as plumbing materials, roofing, insulation, paint, and sealants.

Each of these forms of amphibole asbestos presents severe health risks as the fibers of amphibole asbestos are very thin, sharp, and light, allowing them to remain suspended in the air for long periods of time, increasing the chances that someone might inhale them. Chrysotile asbestos is largely considered less dangerous than amphibole asbestos and is the most widely used form of the substance for various applications, but it is still a highly dangerous carcinogen.

It is important to understand that you face a serious health risk whenever you come into contact with asbestos in any form. Even if the material appears undisturbed, any particles nearby that have become airborne may remain so for days on end, making them very easy to inhale. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma through accidental ingestion of asbestos fibers. These fibers can also stick to clothing, meaning they may be taken home, and your family may be exposed.

Anyone working in any type of asbestos-related operation must use appropriate safety equipment, follow all procedural rules for performing their job duties as safely as possible, and strictly follow necessary decontamination processes after performing any type of work involving even suspected contact with asbestos. Unfortunately, despite one’s best efforts, it is possible for a single exposure to any type of asbestos to eventually cause mesothelioma.

Most Common Asbestos Risks Today

In previous decades, asbestos was one of the most widely used industrial materials in the United States. Many buildings were made with asbestos cement products, roofing tiles, and insulation covering plumbing and electrical systems. Asbestos was also a commonly used material in shipbuilding. Over time, the health risks of asbestos became apparent, resulting in widespread efforts to remove this substance from as many places as possible.

One of the unfortunate realities of mesothelioma is the fact that it takes many years to cause noticeable symptoms. The incubation period of the disease can last decades, so many people diagnosed with mesothelioma discovered that the cause of their condition was asbestos exposure, which occurred many years in the past. This can make it very difficult for someone to pinpoint exactly when, where, and how they developed this terminal disease.

Today, asbestos persists as a health risk in many ways. Older buildings across the country may still contain trace amounts of asbestos, and this material is still used in carefully managed manufacturing applications. It is also possible for natural asbestos deposits to be disturbed by mining operations and to discover asbestos contamination in talcum powder products. Naturally occurring talc can easily be contaminated with trace amounts of asbestos that are hard to detect.

Building a Lawsuit for Asbestos Exposure

If you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have grounds for legal recourse against the party responsible for the exposure. For example, if you developed the disease because of a contaminated talcum powder product, you may have grounds for a claim against the manufacturer. It is also possible for a business, property owner, or other party to be liable for your condition.

One of the most difficult aspects of building any type of case for asbestos exposure is the very long incubation period of mesothelioma. You may have been exposed to asbestos years ago, and the fault may fall on a company that no longer exists. Many of the companies linked to asbestos in the past were compelled to create mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate victims of their products in the future, and filing such a claim may be your most viable recovery option.

If you were exposed to asbestos while working, you may be able to claim workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. Every state has different workers’ compensation laws, and if your employer is required to have this insurance, it will apply to any work-related illness or injury. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is generally a more expedient option for recovering compensation, but you face various limitations in terms of what you can recover.

Ultimately, you may have more options than you initially realize when it comes to pursuing legal recourse for asbestos exposure. It is important that you consult an experienced attorney as quickly as possible. It will be difficult to gather the evidence you need to build your case, but a seasoned mesothelioma lawyer is the ideal resource to consult for help in this situation. They can determine the most likely causes of your condition to narrow your search.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Most Commonly Found Type of Asbestos?

A: The most commonly found type of asbestos is chrysotile asbestos, also known as white asbestos. This type of asbestos is the most common type linked to ingestion-related mesothelioma, but it is also possible for chrysotile asbestos particles to be inhaled. Chrysotile asbestos is found naturally in serpentine mineral veins, and the fibers are very soft, flexible, and light.

Q: How Much Asbestos Exposure Causes Cancer?

A: Any amount of asbestos exposure can cause cancer. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, as even a single exposure can potentially cause cancer to develop. Another complication with asbestos exposure cases is the fact that mesothelioma usually takes a very long time to start showing noticeable symptoms. It is possible for someone to be exposed once and then decades later receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma from that single exposure.

Q: Is Asbestos Still Used Today?

A: Asbestos is still used today in very limited and strictly controlled practices. It is considered to be one of the most dangerous occupational substances not only for those working in asbestos product manufacturing but also in facilities that may have been constructed using asbestos in the past. Many companies that formerly produced asbestos products ceased operations or changed their operations to incorporate different materials.

Q: What Is the Safest Form of Asbestos?

A: There is no safest form of asbestos. While some manufacturers claim that the specific types of asbestos they use in their products are less harmful than other types, the fact remains that any type of asbestos is capable of causing cancer, and even minimal exposure to any type of asbestos is sufficient for causing cancer. Amphibole asbestos is generally considered more dangerous than other forms, but all types of asbestos can cause cancer.

Q: How Do I File an Asbestos Lawsuit?

A: You can file an asbestos lawsuit if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of this disease, and you will need to prove when, where, and how you were exposed in order to succeed with your case. If you believe you have grounds to file any type of asbestos lawsuit, it is important to consult an attorney who has proven experience handling this type of case.

The team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., has years of professional experience helping our clients navigate complex asbestos claims, and we can put this experience to work for you. All the various types of asbestos are capable of causing cancer, and if you believe you have grounds for legal action, contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can help.