Introduction to Asbestos.

ASBESTOS

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name for a group of six different fibrous minerals which occur naturally in the environment. These fibers are impervious to heat, fire, chemicals, and biological degradation; they do not dissolve in water or evaporate, and they have no detectable odor or taste. Because of these properties, asbestos has been widely used by industry in manufactured products such as building materials, friction products, and heat resistant fabrics.

Asbestos- On tree.

Chrysotile, or white asbestos, belongs to the serpentine family of minerals, and accounts for 95 per cent of all asbestos used in the United States. The other five, amosite, crocidolite, and the fibrous varieties of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite, belong to amphibole family. While all forms of asbestos are dangerous and may cause cancer, the amphiboles are considered to be the most dangerous. More on the different types of asbestos.

Chrysotile asbestos fibers are flexible and curved, while amphibole fibers are most often brittle and have a rod or needle-like shape. Asbestos fiber masses break apart easily, and become tiny airbourne particles that may easily be inhaled or swallowed and cause serious health problems many years later.