The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Chrysotile Mesothelioma

Chrysotile is one of the 6 forms of asbestos and one that is still commonly used in the production of cement, roofing tiles, and in friction devices in the auto industry. Despite being linked to far fewer cases of mesothelioma than amosite and crocidolite forms of asbestos, chrysotile is still carcinogenic and continues to be used in products available throughout the world. Chrysotile asbestos fixed within a cement mixture, however, is much less likely to cause health problems than friable products which contain chrysotile and can release inhalable dust when touched or as materials aged and degraded.

Despite continuing to be mined in developed countries, Canada, Russia, and Italy, when airborne and exposed to the lungs, chrysotile is carcinogenic. Exposure to airborne chrysotile in mining operations, and while it was used in a friable state in the early 70's and previously, has resulted in many cases of mesothelioma. Mining operations continue to assure local populations that their mining of chrysotile has no affect on the health to those who live around the mines, despite the fact that mesothelioma rates in those areas are much higher than those of the general populace.

Exposure to friable chrysotile occurred commonly in and prior to the mid 1970's when asbestos bans took place. The potential health hazards of asbestos, and chrysotile in particular, have been known by the medical community for many years. The asbestos bans of the mid 1970's helped to prevent the use of chrysotile in friable products which became airborne and were breathed in large quantities. The current use of chrysotile asbestos is known to be much safer than previous products but the individuals exposed to chrysotile asbestos continue to develop mesothelioma.