Asbestos is the commercial name given to a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral commonly used in construction materials and other products because of its high heat resistance, strength and durability, however there are many types of asbestos. Over time, exposure to asbestos may lead to asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and other cancers.
Asbestos was mined in many countries, including Canada, Russia, South Africa, South America, India.
Asbestos fibres can be split into in two distinct groups; amphiboles and serpentine, based on their silicate crystal structure type.
There are six minerals in the asbestos group;
| 1. Serpentine | Chrysotile – ‘White’ |
| 2. Amphiboles | Amosite – ‘Brown’ |
| Crocidolite – ‘Blue’ | |
| Fibrous Anthophyllite | |
| Fibrous Tremolite | |
| Fibrous Actinolite |
However only ‘White’, ‘Brown’ and ‘Blue’ types of asbestos have had any real commercial significance as they are the most naturally abundant minerals of the group. It should be noted that uses of sprayed coating ceased in 1974 and asbestos lagging is unlikely to be found in buildings constructed after 1975.
| Products | Asbestos Type | Uses / Applications |
| Insulation Boards | Chrysotile | Partition walls, infill panels, boxings, ceiling tiles, fire breaks, door lining. |
| Sprayed Coatings | Crocidolite Amosite Chrysotile |
Used on structural steelwork, applied to walls and ceilings |
| Pipe insulation / Lagging | Chrysotile Amosite Crocidolite | Lagged pipes in boiler rooms, hard set or preformed sections, insulation to hot water cylinders, calorifiers etc. |
| Asbestos Ropes | Chrysotile | Used to seal joints to boilers, flues, chimneys etc. gaskets, kiln lining, heaters. |
| Asbestos Cloths and Textiles | Chrysotile | Fire blankets, fire proof clothing, oven gloves, safety curtains. |
| Asbestos Paper | Chrysotile | Electrical insulation in switchgear, heat reflective layers to boilers and electrical storage heaters. |
| Millboards | Crocidolite | Thermal insulation to industrial ovens, steam pipes. |
| Asbestos Cement | AmositeChrysotile | Corrugated roofing sheets, roofing tiles, partition walls, flat sheets, infill panels, bath panels, guttering, water tanks, flue pipes, eaves soffits, fascia boards, flower boxes. |
| Gaskets | Chrysotile | To pipe flanges. |
| Asbestos reinforced plastics | Amosite Chrysotile | Toilet cisterns, battery cases, injection-mouldings in the motor industry. |
| Friction products | Chrysotile | Brake linings, to road & rail vehicles, lifts and other machinery. |
| Asbestos thermoplastic or vinyl floor tiles | Chrysotile | Floor tiles, stair nosings, skirtings. |
| Asbestos Bitumen products | Chrysotile | Roofing felt, damp-proof courses, gutter linings, coatings on metals, sink pads. |
| Paints and surface coatings | Chrysotile | Textured coatings to ceilings and walls ‘ARTEX’. |
| Mastics, sealants, putties and adhesives | Chrysotile | Floor tile backing, seals to window/door frames. |
