Types of asbestos minerals
Chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, actonolite, anthophylite, tremolite
Serpentine group of asbestos mineral
Chrysotile - curly fibres
Amphibole asbestos minerals
Straight fibres, everything but chrysotile
Properties of asbestos
- high tensile strength
- chemical and thermal stability
- high flexibility
- low electrical conductivity
- large surface area
- fire resistance
Uses of asbestos
- insulation
- cement building materials
- fibre cement boards
- roofing
- textiles
- gaskets and pads for cars
- brake linings
Asbestos in homes
- furnaces and heating
- car and truck brake pads
- cement and plaster
- insulation
- floor and ceiling tiles
- siding
White asbestos
Chrysotile
90% of commercial asbestos
Chrysotile
Asbestos that breaks down in the body the easiest
Chrysotile
Blue asbestos
Crocidolite
Most dangerous type of asbestos - hardest to break down in the body
Crocidolite
Type of asbestos with resistance to acid, but is no longer mined
Crocidolite
Dark green asbestos
Actonolite
Sharp asbestos fibres
Actonolite and Tremolite
Responsible for many individuals asbestos-related illnesses
Actonolite and Tremolite
Second most common type of asbestos in buildings
Amosite
Sharp needle-like fibres that become trapped in lungs
Amosite
Found in products with vermiculite and talc
Anthopyllite
Ranges in colour from white to brown
Anthopyllite
Top chrysotile producer (1 million metric tonnes in 2015)
Russia, major mine in Asbest
China chrysotile production in 2015
400,000 tonnes
Third and fourth top producers of chrysotile
Brazil, Kazakhstan
Top 3 importers of chrysotile (in order)
India, China, Indonesia
Asbestos is found in what type of rock
Metamorphic
