 Asbestos is the name given to a group of six
different fibrous minerals (amosite,
chrysotile, crocidolite, and the fibrous
varieties of tremolite, actinolite, and
anthophyllite) that occur naturally in
the environment. One of these, namely
chrysotile, belongs to the serpentine
family of minerals, while all of the
others belong to the amphibole family.
All
forms of asbestos are hazardous,
and all can cause cancer, but amphibole
forms of asbestos are considered to
be
somewhat more hazardous to health than
chrysotile.
Asbestos
minerals consist of thin, separable
fibers that have
a parallel arrangement. Nonfibrous
forms
of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite
also are found naturally. However,
because they are not fibrous, they
are not classified
as asbestos minerals. Amphibole asbestos
fibers are generally brittle and
often have a rod- or needle-like
shape, whereas
chrysotile asbestos fibers are flexible
and curved. Chrysotile, also known
as white asbestos, is the predominant
commercial
form of asbestos; amphiboles are of minor
commercial importance.
Asbestos
fibers do not have any detectable
odor or taste.
They do not dissolve in water or
evaporate and are resistant to heat,
fire, chemical
and biological degradation. Because
of these properties, asbestos has
been mined
for use in a wide range of manufactured
products, mostly in building materials,
friction products, and heat-resistant
fabrics.
Since
asbestos fibers may cause harmful
health effects
in people who
are exposed, all new uses of
asbestos have been banned in the
United
States by the EPA. Please see the
toxicological
profile for more information
on the properties and uses of asbestos.
A
Asbestos
Lawyer
will provide a
Free
Consultation,
work on a contingency fee, and accept
no Fee until we recover money for you
. A Personal Injury Lawyer will visit
you at Home or in the Hospital and initiate
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