Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, which is often divided into two mineralogical groups, but not all varieties of asbestos have commercial use.

The first type is known as amphibole. The amphibole family includes amosite (“brown asbestos”), crocidilite (“blue asbestos”), tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Among the various types of amphibole fibers, only crocidilite and amosite were incorporated into commercial products. However, “noncommercial” amphibole fibers (tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite) may also have been present as contaminants in commercially used products that may include chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc.

The other mineralogical group of asbestos is known as the serpentine group. It includes only the chrysotile variety of asbestos. Despite its hazardous nature, chrysotile was hugely popular with industry. Chrysotile accounts for over 90% of the asbestos that was used commercially in the United States.

Source: Pathology of Asbestos-Related Diseases (Victor L. Roggli et al. eds., 2004).

 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Asbestos (a misapplication of Latin: asbestos "quicklime" from Greek ἄσβεστος: a, "not" and sbestos, "extinguishable") describes any of a group of minerals that can be fibrous, many of which are metamorphic and are hydrous magnesium silicates. These minerals, together with their occurrences, uses, and associated hazards, have been discussed in detail by Guthrie and Mossman (1993).

The name is derived for its historical use in lamp wicks; the resistance of asbestos to fire has long been exploited for a variety of purposes. Asbestos was used in fabrics such as Egyptian burial cloths and Charlemagne's tablecloth (which according to legend, he threw in a fire to clean). Asbestos occurs naturally in many forms (see below); it is mined from metamorphic rocks.

When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. Asbestos is used in brake shoes and gaskets for its heat resistance, and in the past was used on electric oven and hotplate wiring for its electrical insulation at elevated temperature, and in buildings for its flame-retardant and insulating properties, tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals. The inhalation of some kinds of asbestos fibers, however, can cause a number of serious illnesses, including cancer. Many uses of asbestos are banned in multiple countries.