What is
Asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally
occurring silicate minerals whose fibers are strong, durable, and
resistant to heat and fire. They are long, thin and flexible, allowing
them to be turned into cloth.
Types of Asbestos Of the many forms of asbestos fibers,
three are primarily used for commercial purposes:
- Chrysotile, or white asbestos,
has been very widely used in the US. It is white-gray in color
and found in serpentine rock.
- Amosite or brown asbestos.
- Crocidolite or blue asbestos.
Amphibole asbestos (e.g. amosite
and crocidolite) is very dangerous because of its dusty, needlelike
fibers. Individuals that are exposed to this type of asbestos ingest
the dust, which then becomes trapped in the lungs indefinitely.
Over time, this can lead to asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers not often used for
commercial purposes include tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite.
However, these fibers are occasionally used as contaminants in asbestos-containing
products.
Common Asbestos Topics
If you or someone you know has suffered from mesothelioma, contact us for more information
|
