“Asbestos” is a group of six different minerals with certain important differences. When people speak of asbestos products that are a source of asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, they are generally talking about chrysotile asbestos, which is also referred to as white asbestos due to its color. Chrysotile asbestos accounts for about 95 percent of all asbestos used in the U.S.
Serpentine Fibers of Chrysotile Asbestos
Chrysotile asbestos is also known as “serpentine” asbestos because it comes from the serpentine group of minerals and the fibers are curly, like a serpent. The other five types of asbestos (tremolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and actinolite) are from the amphibole group of minerals and have fibers that are straight, like needles. Chrysotile asbestos is more flexible than the other kinds of asbestos, which made it extremely useful. As a result, serpentine asbestos has been used in thousands of products that are present in our environment, including:
- Insulation
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Joint compound in walls
- Roof shingles
- Brake pads in vehicles
- Adhesives
- Fabrics
Chrysotile Asbestos is a Carcinogen
According to both the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chrysotile asbestos is a human carcinogen. This means that chrysotile asbestos exposure can cause cancer in human beings. In fact, the use of chrysotile asbestos in any form for any reason is now banned in many countries, and its uses are severely limited in Europe. Because chrysotile asbestos was widely used up until the late 1970s, it is still present throughout the U.S. Serpentine asbestos can be found in tens of millions of locations, such as:
- Homes
- Schools
- Workplaces
- Libraries
- Movie theaters
- Hospitals
- Stores
Asbestos Diseases from Chrysotile Asbestos
In the early 20th century, chrysotile asbestos seemed like a very useful and valuable material for insulation and heat/friction-resistant applications. Unfortunately, the use of asbestos would have dangerous consequences, and it is now known to have sickened and killed many thousands of people. Exposure to chrysotile asbestos has been linked to the development of fatal asbestos diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. If you are concerned about potential exposure and illness from white asbestos, it is important to contact your doctor. If an asbestos disease is present, your doctor can make a diagnosis and review treatment options with you.
If either you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a disease caused by asbestos, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your losses. To do that, you will want to contact a lawyer who can review your case. When choosing a lawyer, it is important to choose one who has experience with this type of lawsuit and who is knowledgeable about chrysotile asbestos. For more information or to schedule a private consultation with an experienced chrysotile asbestos attorney, contact the Mesothelioma Treatment Center today.
