Chrysotile Asbestos - Chrysotile Asbestos Type

Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers which can be separated into thin threads. These fibers are not affected by heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been widely used in many industries. Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength.

Asbestos differs from other minerals in its crystal development. Asbestos is divided into two mineral groups Serpentine and Amphibole. The division between the two types of asbestos is based upon the crystalline structure. Serpentines have a sheet or layered structure where amphiboles have a chain-like structure.

Four types of asbestos have been used commercially:

• Chrysotile (white asbestos)
• Crocidolite (blue asbestos): Crocidolite is the asbestiform variety of riebeckite. The characteristic form of crocidolite is similar to that of chrysotile.
• Amosite, which usually has brown fibers: Amosite asbestos was used to a lesser extent than chrysotile.
• Anthophyllite, which usually has gray fibers.

Chrysotile Asbestos:

Chrysotile Asbestos A, B) is the most common type of asbestos found in buildings and it is the only member of the serpentine group, . Chrysotile makes up approximately 90%-95% of all asbestos contained in buildings in the United States. In the amphibole group, there are five types of asbestos. As an acronym for the Asbestos Mines of South Africa, Amosite is the second most prevalent type of asbestos found in building materials.

Chrysotile Asbestos with its curly fibers, is in the serpentine family of minerals. Another name of chrysotile asbestos is serpentine because it is found in serpentine rock. Serpentine is a polymorphous, magnesium-rich mineral typically found in metamorphic rocks. Chrysotile asbestos was used predominantly in products manufactured in the United States. Although small amounts of chrysotile were mined in the United States, the overwhelming majority of the mesothelioma causing asbestos was mined in Canada and then shipped into the United States. The other types of asbestos, which all have rod-like fibers, are known as amphiboles.

Next, there is Crocidolite, which is an asbestos found in specialized high temperature applications. The other three types (Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite) are rare and found mainly as contaminants in other minerals. Asbestos deposits can be found throughout the world and are still mined in Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the former Soviet Union.

Asbestos fiber masses tend to break easily into a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. The fibers may be easily inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems.

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