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Asbestos, What is Asbestos
“Asbestos” is the name given to a
group of minerals that occur
naturally as bundles of fibers which
can be separated into thin threads.
These fibers are not affected by
heat or chemicals and do not conduct
electricity. For these reasons,
asbestos has been widely used in
many industries. Four types of
asbestos have been used
commercially:
Chrysotile, or white asbestos;
Crocidolite, or blue asbestos;
Amosite, which usually has brown
fibers; and
Anthophyllite, which usually has
gray fibers.
Chrysotile asbestos, with its curly
fibers, is in the serpentine family
of minerals. The other types of
asbestos, which all have rod-like
fibers, are known as amphiboles.
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.
Content Courtesy : cis.nci.nih.gov
Note : Information herein is
provided for informational purposes
only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. You
should not use this information for
diagnosing or treating a medical or
health condition. If you have or
suspect you have a medical problem,
promptly contact your professional
healthcare provider. Please consult
your healthcare provider before
beginning any course of
supplementation or treatment.
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