If you have ever worked as a construction contractor, you may be able to recognize asbestos by sight without performing chemical testing. While asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that builders and others used for decades, it comes in more than one form.
In fact, according to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, there are six different types of asbestos that belong to two separate families of asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos is the most popular type of asbestos in one of these families, the serpentine family.
Where can you find chrysotile asbestos?
Because of both the flexibility of its fibers and its heat resistance, chrysotile asbestos is the most common type of asbestos in buildings in the U.S. Indeed, you may find chrysotile asbestos in insulation, fabric mesh and fireproofing materials. You also may find it in any of the following products:
- Asphalt and cement
- Brake pads, disk pads and brake linings
- Building textiles
- Clutches and gaskets
- Plastics and rubbers
- Roofing materials
Can chrysotile asbestos make you sick?
For decades, doctors and scientists have warned Americans about the serious risks asbestos exposure presents to their health. Chrysotile asbestos is no exception. Regrettably, working with or near chrysotile asbestos can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma and many other types of potentially life-threatening cancer.
Despite its potential to cause catastrophic illnesses, chrysotile asbestos is still in production in some parts of the world today. Ultimately, if you have come into contact with it and become ill, you may have grounds to seek significant financial compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
