Do Some Forms of Asbestos Carry More Mesothelioma Risk?
Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave FosterThis page has been fact checked by an experienced mesothelioma Patient Advocate. Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article.
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In the past, homes were often insulated with extremely flammable materials such as newspaper or straw. When asbestos became prevalent, it seemed like a miracle material. Resistant to flame, asbestos could be stuffed around electrical wiring without creating a fire hazard, and asbestos is cheap and readily available in mines all over the world. It seemed logical to include asbestos in home construction materials.
Many years later, after asbestos had gained global popularity as an insulating material, its association with the aggressive, rare cancer known as mesothelioma was discovered.[1] By then, many hundreds of thousands of people had been exposed to this dangerous mineral.
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Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which occurs in several different forms, described below. Some types may carry more mesothelioma risk than others.
Chrysotile
Also referred to as “white asbestos,” chrysotile is the type of asbestos most often found in construction products. It is categorized as a serpentine mineral.[2] The other types of asbestos are amphibole minerals.
Chrysotile carries a slightly lower but still significant risk of mesothelioma with exposure. Most modern materials containing chrysotile asbestos are non-friable. Also, the fibers of other types of asbestos stay in the body longer, increasing the risk of damage and illness.[3]
Amosite
Commonly called “brown asbestos,” amosite is commonly used to reinforce thin sheets of cement, such as for pipe or floor insulation. It is the second most common form found in U.S. buildings.[2]
This form of asbestos is very hazardous if inhaled or ingested; therefore, people who live in older homes should take caution if their pipe insulation or cement flooring show signs of deterioration. Deterioration of asbestos-reinforced cement allows the carcinogenic fibers to become airborne where they can easily be inhaled.[2]
Anthophyllite
This rare type of asbestos is yellowish-gold in color. Seldom used in industrial applications, anthophyllite is commonly found alongside talc deposits; therefore, people who work in talc mines are at an increased risk of exposure and have a moderate-to-severe risk of developing mesothelioma.[4] Because this form of asbestos was accidentally mined along with talc, talcum powder products were thought to be carcinogenic for some time. It was the asbestos that was the actual culprit, however.
Actinolite
Actinolite asbestos has a greenish hue. Never specifically used in industrial applications, actinolite was often accidentally mined alongside naturally-occurring talc deposits. Actinolite can be found in and around vermiculite deposits.[5] As vermiculite is a popular potting soil additive, accidental exposure to actinolite was once common. Strict enforcement of vermiculite processing regulations later may have reduced the risk of exposure. Actinolite exposure does carry a risk of mesothelioma.
Tremolite
Whitish-to-green in color, tremolite can be found in deposits along with talc and vermiculite, as well as chrysotile asbestos. This lead to accidental exposure for miners and people working at processing plants for any of these other materials.[6]
Tremolite was also used in paint, insulation, roofing materials, sealants, and other construction products. It is no longer mined and has been found to have been involved in many diagnoses of asbestos-related illnesses.[2]
Crocidolite
The most hazardous form of asbestos is crocidolite. This so-called “blue asbestos” is constructed of extremely fine, sharp fibers. This structure makes them dangerously easy to inhale, ingest, or transport on clothing.[2]
Crocidolite gained infamy in Australia for its use as a loose form of wall and attic insulation sold under the brand name “Mr Fluffy.” It was once advertised as a safe, inexpensive way to insulate your home; however, the increase in mesothelioma diagnoses among crocidolite processing workers and blue asbestos miners (as well those who lived near factories and mines) tells a different story.[7]
Even today, many homes in Australia contain unremediated “Mr Fluffy” insulation. This causes serious concerns over what the future holds. The latency period with mesothelioma is particularly long, so those exposed in infancy may appear healthy until symptoms develop decades later.
Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave Foster
Dave has been a mesothelioma Patient Advocate for over 10 years. He consistently attends all major national and international mesothelioma meetings. In doing so, he is able to stay on top of the latest treatments, clinical trials, and research results. He also personally meets with mesothelioma patients and their families and connects them with the best medical specialists and legal representatives available.