Asbestos, a group of minerals, are produced naturally in bundles of fiber, and can be found in several parts of the world underneath soil and rock.

Although these bundles of fiber contain mainly oxygen and silicon, they are also comprised of other elements. The two kinds of asbestos types are Chrysotile and Amphibole. Both are tied to asbestos cancer risk.

Chrysotile may also be termed white asbestos and is the most common type within industry settings. Microscopically, the fibers are spiral shaped which is why they may also be termed serpentine or curly asbestos.

The second type of asbestos fiber is Amphibole. These fibers are needle-like and straight. Amphibole fibers can also be broken down into several other categories including: crocidoline (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite.

The two types of asbestos have been linked to cancer.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated the asbestos cancer risk associated with airborne asbestos fibers. The evidence became more apparent within the first half of the 20th century and throughout World War II. Moreover, large numbers of industrial workers were exposed to highly elevated levels of asbestos regardless of the installation of exhaust systems and ventilation.

The second half of the 20th century showed a much better understanding of the asbestos cancer risk and measures were taken to ban the use of asbestos in construction, while establishing laws and standards to protect employees from the risks involved in being exposed to asbestos.

The asbestos cancer risk can occur in different ways. Particularly, however, it can occur by way of swallowing or inhaling asbestos. Most exposure to asbestos and the risk of asbestos cancer like mesothelioma comes by way of inhaling asbestos fibers in the air. This can mainly occur while mining and processing asbestos. It can also occur when installing asbestos insulation, when making asbestos- containing products, or even demolishing older buildings.

The swallowing of asbestos can occur when people contaminate liquids. An example of that would be water running through cement pipes coated with asbestos.

When asbestos is inhaled, the fibers can stick to the mucus in the throat, trachea, and bronchi. They can be cleared up by having to swallow or cough but the fibers still reach the small airways in the lungs and can even seep through the pleura or the outermost lining of the chest wall and lung.

Asbestos cancer can occur by having the fibers irritate the cells in the pleura or lungs and can eventually give way to acquiring mesothelioma or lung cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, “in general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the higher the risk of lung cancer. Most cases of lung cancer in asbestos workers occur at least 15 years after first exposure to asbestos.”

Asbestos exposure can also lead to a rare form of cancer known as mesothelioma. This form of asbestos-caused cancer effects the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum, and the pleura.

The asbestos cancer risk is closely linked to mesothelioma; according to the American Cancer Society, “all forms of asbestos have been linked to mesothelioma.” Although it typically takes a long time to develop, approximately 30 years, the American Cancer Society further states that, “the risk of mesothelioma does not drop with time after exposure to asbestos. The risk appears to be lifelong.”