Asbestos is dangerous. We have learned this from the on-going media about cancer and death, but did you know that there are several types of asbestos? All are dangerous, but what are the main differences? Asbestos Abatement Services has all the data needed to keep you informed about this highly dangerous material and its risks.
There are two significant categories of asbestos mineral deposits. Each was used to make materials heat resilient and sturdy products.
Serpentine
Serpentine asbestos is curly fibers that contain crystal sheets. While Chrysotile is known as white asbestos. It is the only asbestos fiber in the serpentine family. Chrysotile is notorious for causing severe health problems and is the most common fiber in this category, making up 95% of commercial and construction applications.
Chrysotile is used in a variety of products, including:
• Insulation
• Brake Pads
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Tile
• Roofing
• Adhesives
Amphibole
Amphibole asbestos is comprised of crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Below is some information about each one.
Amosite
Amosite is a brown color and the most common of all asbestos fibers used in construction materials.
While amosite is more toxic than chrysotile, the asbestos fibers are shorter and mostly straight.
Crocidolite
Crocidolite asbestos is less common and is not as heat resistant as other types of asbestos. It has a blue color, and the fibers are very thin, making it easier to enter the human body. Crocidolite is the most poisonous of all asbestos types.
Tremolite
Tremolite is found along with chrysotile and was frequently used in attic insulation. Tremolite has been documented in around 35 million homes.
Anthophyllite
Anthophyllite is harder to find, which made it the least used. It was mined mostly in Georgia, North Carolina, and Finland.
Actinolite
Actinolite, like Amosite, has straight fibers. It also has a darker hue. It was used to make insulation and in materials to make drywall and paint.
