What are the main types of asbestos?
There are essentially 6 types, only 3 of which were used commercially. These are: Chrysotile or White Asbestos: It is the most common type in the U.S. It is mined in Canada and previously mined in California. It is a serpentine structure, both wavy and hollow. Amosite or Red-Brown Asbestos: This type’s name is derived from its place of origin, Asbestos Mines of South Africa. It is an amphibole structure, long straight solid rods. Crocidolite or Blue Asbestos: Only about 2% to 3% of the asbestos we encounter in this country are of the Crocidolite type. It is an amphibole structure very similar to Amosite, except for color. This mineral is mined in Australia. The other three, which may be included in regulatory standards, are listed as tremolite asbestos, anthophyllite asbestos, and actinolite asbestos All are fire resistant with high tensile strength and not easily destroyed or degraded by natural means. All are carcinogenic; that is, all have been shown to cause cancer of the lung and
