Crocidolite
Crocidolite is one of the five types of Amphibole asbestos. This means
the fibres in Crocidolite are made up of mineral crystals that look like chains.
Crocidolite is often called "blue asbestos," and occurs naturally in
Australia, South Africa, the former Soviet Union, and Canada.
Actinolite
Is one of the more rare forms of asbestos.
It is a mineral with fibres that form in manner of the Amphibole family
- which means the fibres are made of crystals that are chain-like in
appearance. Like two other rare forms of asbestos, Tremolite and Anthophyllite,
Actinolite is found mainly as a contaminant in other minerals. Actinolite
was not used commercially as were chrysotile, amosite, and, to a lesser
extent, crocidolite.
Anthophyllite
One of the more rare forms of asbestos.
It is a mineral with fibres that form in the Amphibole family - which
means the fibres are made of crystals that are chain-like in appearance.
Like two other rare forms of asbestos, Tremolite and Actinolite, Anthophyllite
is found mainly as a contaminant in other minerals. Anthophyllite was
not use commercially as were chrysotile, amosite, and, to a lesser extent,
crocidolite.
Serpentine Asbestos
Chrysotile
The most common type of asbestos, it is
also known as "white asbestos," and
Chrysotile comprises approximately 90%-95% of all asbestos in the United
States. It is made up of minerals which crystallize in the "serpentine" pattern,
which means its crystals are formed in sheets. Chrysotile has been linked
with all asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer,
and mesothelioma.
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