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Types of Asbestos
The word asbestos refers to a group of fibrous,
silicate minerals which can be found in natural deposits all over the
world. There are two major types of asbestos which can be distinguished
by their crystalline structure. Serpentines which appear to be layered
in sheets, and and amphiboles which are more chain like.
Chysotile, or white asbestos, is the only member of the serpentine group
and is the most commonly used form of asbestos. Also known as white asbestos
chrysotile accounts for about 95% of the worlds production of asbestos
The amphiboles group is made of amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite,
tremolite and actinolite. Amosite, or brown asbestos,is primarily utilized
in construction applications and is the second most commonly used asbestos
form. Crocidolite, or blue asbestos, is used in particularly high temperature
situations. The remaining asbestos forms are rare and are not used in
industry. They can however be present as contaminates (as was the case
in the Libby, Montana vermiculite mine.)
Asbestos has a number of properties which have long enticed humans to
continue using it in spite of its detrimental effects. It is strong, flexible,
resistant to heat and chemicals, and will not conduct an electrical current.
However, these same qualities of durability which make it so desirable
in industry that make it so dangerous to humans. On a microscopic level,
asbestos fibers are jagged and glasslike in appearance. They are virtually
indestructible, and once inhaled there is no known method of removal.
Related: Asbestos usage through out history
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