Most people, if not everyone, knows that asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma. However, it might not be clear to most people which type of asbestos causes mesothelioma. If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma, you might be wondering if the type of asbestos you or your loved one was exposed to was the cause of the disease. So, which kind of asbestos can cause mesothelioma? Read on to find out.
Defining Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that was commonly used for many commercial uses in the 20th century because of its properties. Asbestos is, among other things, resistant to water, resistant to chemicals, and resistant to electricity.
This mineral was used widely in the construction process. Asbestos is seen as an ideal additive for materials such as cement, adhesives, insulation, paints, floor tiles, and many others.
Today, asbestos use is heavily regulated. However, asbestos can still be found in, among other things, older buildings and ships.
Types of Asbestos
There are two main types of asbestos that are discussed below.
Chrysotile Asbestos
Chrysotile asbestos is the most common of the two types of asbestos. This kind of asbestos is also called curly or serpentine asbestos. This type of asbestos was popular in automotive parts such as brake shoes and clutches and construction products such as cement and rubber door seals for furnaces.
Amphibole Asbestos
There are different types of amphibole asbestos, including tremolite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. Amphibole asbestos has straight, needle-like fibers.
How Does Asbestos Exposure Happen?
There are two main ways that a person can be exposed to asbestos. First, asbestos exposure happens when a person inhales asbestos fibers. For example, a person may inhale asbestos fibers when mining asbestos or installing asbestos insulation. Second, exposure occurs when a person swallows asbestos fibers. For example, exposure can occur if a person consumes asbestos-contaminated food or liquid or when someone coughs out asbestos fibers they have inhaled and then swallows their saliva. Unfortunately, asbestos fibers are so small that you cannot see them unless you use a microscope.
Which Type of Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma?
Exposure to any asbestos is dangerous. Both chrysotile asbestos and amphibole asbestos can cause mesothelioma. According to research, even one-time minimal exposure to any kind of asbestos can pose a risk of mesothelioma. Generally, there is no level of asbestos exposure that can be considered safe.
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, you should not worry whether the type of asbestos you or your loved one was exposed to was the cause of the disease. Usually, as long as a plaintiff can prove that asbestos exposure occurred, there is never a question of whether that type of asbestos causes mesothelioma. The defendant cannot argue that the kind of mesothelioma you or your loved one was exposed to does not cause mesothelioma.
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.