Types of Asbestos
Asbestos is the generic commercial designation for a group of naturally occurring mineral silicate fibres of the serpentine and amphibole series.there are six main types of Asbestos according to United States Environmental Protection Agency. But usually three types of Asbestos in use.six types are below
1. CHRYSOTILE or white Asbestos
2.
AMOSITE or grey Asbestos
3.
CROCIDOLITE of blue Asbestos
4.
TREMOLITE or transparent Asbestos
5.
ACTINOLITE or harsh textured Asbestos
6.
ANTHOPHYLLITE or Finland Asbestos
1 chrysotile Asbestos,
Chrysotile asbestos or white Asbestos is a sheet silicate
which is formed as a very thin rolled sheet. The sheet is about 0.8 nanometers thick
. Chrysotile founded before about 2000
years, being used early for oil lamp wicks and other textiles. although in 19th
Century Chrysotile was commercially produced in Russia,Italy and Canada. This
is the most widely used asbestos type and can be found even today in roofs,
ceilings and other events of homes and businesses. Chrysotile asbestos also was
used in automobile industry. some studies show it takes more exposure to
chrysotile than other types of asbestos to develop related diseases.
Colour: Green
Commonly used in: automobile industry,cement,Roofing
matieriels in buildings
2 Amosite Asbestos
Amosite asbestos or brown Asbestos is another most hazardous
forms of asbestos especially because this form of asbestos is highly friable. it
means crumbles easily when damaged, second most used type of asbestos in construction
field. Mostly mined and found in south Africa and It has killed large number of
Africans who worked in mines and related fields. Some asbestos researches show that
exposure to amosite can cause lung
cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Colour: Grey and Brown
Commonly used in: Because
of the strength and heat resistance it used in Cement sheets, Electrical
insulation, Roofing materials and Fire protection.
Crocidolite Asbestos
Crocidolite Asbestos or blue asbestos is the most dangerous
asbestos type because its fibers are so thin. Once inhaled, the fibers do not smash
easily.This can lead to potentially life-threatening lung and abdominal
conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma . crocidolite was first
established in South Africa. At that time, it was known as wooly stone .used
only for limited purposes.in 1900 it became a commercial product in large
scale.but after discovering its hazard totally banned from many countries.
Colour : Blue
Commonly used in : crocidolite was used in number of
commercial and industrial products. Such as Ceiling tiles, Fire protection, Acid
storages and gaskets.
Tremolite Asbestos
Tremolite asbestos or transparent asbestos has been useful
for commercial products because they are strong, heat-resistant, and can be woven
into cloths. But it is not widely used. tremolite is often found with other
minerals such as talc and vermiculite. Talk is used to producing chalk, paints,
cosmetics, ceramics and pharmaceuticals. in 1973, U.S. laws require all
commercial talcum products to be asbestos-free. Tremolite caused for lung
cancer and other respiratory conditions.
Colour: brown, white, gray, green and could be transparent.
Commonly used in : Paints,Sealants,Roofing materials
Anthophyllite Asbestos
Anthophyllite Asbestos or Finland Asbestos rare asbestos type
was found in Finland. The Anthophyllite Asbestos mining began in Finland in
1890.so it has not much long history. Anthophyllite contains so much talk and vermiculite
. Anthophyllite cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases,however
risk is much lower than other asbestos types.
Colour: Brown
Commonly used in: Talc and Talk related products like Talcum
powder.
Actinolite Asbestos
Actinolite or harsh textured Asbestos is a rare form of
asbestos. It contains other minerals such as Silicon, Iron, Magnesium , Calcium
and Hydrogen. Actinolite name come from
the Greek “aktinos,” that refers to “ray” or “beam”. Some forms of actinolite
are used as gemstones.
Colour: Dark colour and even white,, brown , grey or green
Commonly used in : Building materiels, Structural fire-proofing, Paints, Gardening ,Structural
fire-proofing and even Children's toys.
Resources
http://www.asbestos.com/
http://www.Wikipeidia.com
Resources
http://www.asbestos.com/
http://www.Wikipeidia.com
