Mesothelioma

Author: U.S. Govt.

?Asbestos? is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally

as bundles of fibers which can be separated into thinthreads. 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:

• Chryso tile, 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 toclothes. The fibers may

be easily inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems.

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