Amosite asbestos is among the commonly used types of asbestos. Amosite is considered one of the more dangerous types because of its high usage and tendency to crumble and inhale easily. This type of asbestos can be detected in many products and materials, such as ceiling tiles, cement, insulation, electrical wiring and gaskets.
Amosite asbestos is known to be present in 5% of buildings in the United States. This percentage is not near as much as its counterpart, chrysotile asbestos, being present in 95% of buildings. This fact means that most construction workers between 1940 and 1990 came in contact with some type of asbestos at their job, resulting in thousands unknowingly exposed to asbestos and at risk for developing a deadly disease.
Amosite asbestos was popular for its durable and heat-resistant properties, which made the mineral a powerful and universal ingredient. It is composed of sharp, needle-like fibers that can easily crumble, properties signifying the dangers of the mineral.
The properties that made amosite and other types of asbestos appealing to incorporate into mass amounts of consumer products and household materials has led to countless cancer claims. Most of the cancer claims allege the presence of asbestos, in some form, led people to develop different types of cancers like lung cancer and ovarian cancer, with the rarest cancer reported being mesothelioma.
How Does Amosite Asbestos Cause Cancer?
The danger of asbestos is its needle-like fibers and dusty nature. If asbestos dust enters the air, there is a chance it will be inhaled (through the nose) or ingested (through the mouth) by the people in the vicinity.
If asbestos fibers enter the body, the microscopic, needle-like fibers can become lodged in tissue surrounding major organs, causing irritation and infection that could lead to the formation of cancerous tumors.
Asbestos exposure is known to cause cancers such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and – in some rare cases – ovarian cancer. Mesothelioma and lung cancer are the most common cancers linked to asbestos exposure. The main difference between the two is asbestos exposure is the only cause of mesothelioma, while there are multiple possible causes of a lung cancer diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer because of the rareness of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma are often associated with common illnesses like the flu or chest pain and not taken very seriously. Patients are often misdiagnosed, which leaves the mesothelioma untreated.
Asbestos causes an estimated 7,000-11,000 new cases of lung cancer in the U.S. each year. Lung cancer from asbestos is very similar to lung cancer caused by smoking or genetics. There is no medical difference or difference in course of treatment based on how the cancer developed.
Amosite Asbestos Exposure
There is only one cause of mesothelioma: asbestos exposure. This means if you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos was in your presence at some point in time.
Because asbestos was heavily used in vast amounts of projects and products throughout America up until the 1990s, asbestos could be present in your home or office building. You could have been unknowingly handling asbestos at work without proper protective equipment or even doing laundry for someone who had asbestos dust on their clothes.
Most mesothelioma claims originate from occupational asbestos exposure, meaning the exposure occurred in the workplace.
The most at-risk occupations for asbestos exposure are shipbuilders, U.S. Navy members, construction workers, insulation workers, oil and chemical workers, power plant and refinery workers, railroad workers, auto workers, and more. These occupations may not be as high risk today due to new regulations on asbestos, but legacy asbestos is still a concern.
Legacy asbestos is asbestos remaining in old structures or buildings built during the asbestos era. This type of asbestos is still dangerous because its presence is unknown. Only trained professionals should handle legacy asbestos and should take extreme precautions when near the cancer-causing mineral.
If you think you may have been exposed to amosite asbestos or any other type of asbestos, contact our Registered Nurse Karen Ritter. She can help answer any asbestos-related health questions or concerns. If you’ve been diagnosed with any asbestos disease, get connected with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to learn about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amosite Asbestos
- What is amosite known as?
- Where does asbestos originate?
- What does asbestos look like?
Amosite is one of the more dangerous types of asbestos due to its excessive use and tendency to crumble and be inhaled easily. This type of asbestos can be found in many products and materials, such as ceiling tiles, cement, insulation, electrical wiring and gaskets. Amosite asbestos is known to be present in 5% of buildings in the United States.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, so it originates within the earth. To use asbestos, it must be mined and broken down to distribute to asbestos manufacturers. The workers mining for the asbestos and working in the mine had no idea the health risks associated with their work. Fortunately, asbestos is no longer mined in the capacity it was during the 20th century, but the health effects of asbestos still linger.
Each of the six subtypes of asbestos has a different appearance. Chrysotile asbestos is known as “white asbestos” due to its white color. Amosite asbestos is called “brown asbestos” for its brown color. Crocidolite asbestos is often referred to as “blue asbestos.” Tremolite asbestos can vary in color: from dark green to milky white. Actinolite asbestos is usually dark green. Anthophyllite can also vary in color, ranging from brown to a yellowish color.
Sources & Author
- Types of Asbestos That Can Cause Asbestos Diseases. Penn Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/types-of-cancer/mesothelioma/asbestos-cancer/types-of-asbestos. Accessed: 08/31/22.
Sources & Author
