What types of asbestos have been commonly used?
There are four types of asbestos — Chrysotile, or white asbestos (curly, flexible white fibers); Amosite (straight, brittle fibers that are light gray to pale brown in color); Crocidolite, or blue asbestos (straight blue fibers); and Anthophyllite (brittle white fibers). Chrysotile asbestos accounts for about 90 percent of the asbestos currently used in industry. Asbestos fiber masses tend to break easily into a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. The fibers may be easily inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems.
