Types of Asbestos
Although asbestos is often referred to as a singular mineral or substance, it is actually made up of six unique substances that are part of the amphibole and serpentine mineral families. The terms within these families are not descriptions of the minerals, but to unique fibers within the families. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has classified the asbestiform varieties of the primary six minerals considered to be asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also adopted this classification and was allowed to regulate those forms since 1976 which resulted in them being banned in 52 countries. Yet hundreds of other minerals that are asbestos-like have been discovered, including taconite and erionite, but have not regulated or restricted. Many of these contain asbestiform fibers that are known to cause serious health issues.
Chrysotile
Known more commonly as the "white asbestos," exposure to this type of asbestos can cause a number of diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Most commercial asbestos uses have been of the chrysotile type but its use has declined over the last 20 years. Tremolite (amphibole) asbestos, which is much more toxic to humans than chrysotile itself, can be found in trace amounts in naturally-occurring deposits of this mineral. Chrysotile asbestos was used in a variety of ways including in brake pads, cement and gaskets, just to name a few. More people have been exposed to chrysotile asbestos than any other form.
Crocidolite
More people have died from exposure to the crocidolite form of asbestos than any other form. The reason this has occurred, according to studies, is that the fibers released when the mineral is disturbed are much finer and sharper than other asbestos forms. This fact makes them easier to be ingested or inhaled at which point they lodge themselves in the lining of the lungs. They are not easily broken down which then leads to several diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Those put more at risk are crocidolite miners and anyone living near a crocidolite mine. This type of asbestos is referred to as the "blue asbestos," and is typically found in South America, South Africa and Australia. Crocidolite was used in a variety of products including spray-on insulation, chemical insulation and fire protection.
Amosite
Although not as common as crocidolite or chrysotile, amosite asbestos has been linked to many more cancer development in exposed victims than other forms of asbestos. Known as mineral grunerite in its natural state, amosite is also referred to as "brown asbestos." This type of asbestos can be found mostly in South Africa, though its use in a variety of products used throughout the world put thousands at risk for exposure. When used as asbestos, amosite is highly heat-resistant and therefore useful for many purposes. Amosite was used in products such as roofing products, electrical insulation, plumbing insulation, cement sheets and more.
Anthophyllite
Exposure to anthophyllite asbestos has been known to cause mesothelioma; however, the risk of developing cancer is much less than with other forms of the mineral. It took longer for researchers to classify anthophyllite as an asbestos mineral, but researchers have linked many cases of mesothelioma to exposure to the mineral. Luckily, anthophyllite is the rarest type of asbestos and therefore has not been used commercially for as long as other types. It is typically classified as a non-commercial form of asbestos but has been found in products that contain minerals like talc and vermiculite. In products with talc, once the anthophyllite forms, the talc eventually falls apart and then anthophyllite traces can be found in products such as talcum powder.
Tremolite
Part of the amphibole group of asbestos, tremolite is considered to be a major health risk to anyone exposed. Tremolite, like other amphibole asbestos minerals, can release tiny, sharp fibers into the air if disturbed. Tremolite can be spun or woven into cloth, because it is heat-resistant, flexible and strong. Because of its ability to be used in a variety of protective clothing, many people have been exposed to this type of asbestos. But tremolite has also been used in roofing materials, insulation, sealants, paints and more.
Actinolite
Actinolite tends to be dark in color and is also part of the amphibole family. It is extremely versatile and can be appear in different colors such as green, brown, gray or white and also found in different forms such as fibrous and brittle or compact and dense. Used in gardening, insulation material and more, and can cause several diseases.