The term ‘asbestos’ actually refers to six mineral types:
Chrysotile (White Asbestos)
- Most commonly used type of asbestos
- Can be found in roofs, ceilings, walls and floors of properties
- Was also used in automobile brake linings, pipe insulation, gaskets and boiler seals
- Although the most widespread of all the minerals, some studies show it takes more exposure to Chrysotile than other types of asbestos to develop related diseases
Amosite (Brown Asbestos)
- Used frequently in pipe insulation and cement sheet
- Can also be found in ceiling tiles, insulating board and in thermal insulation products
- Has needle-like fibres
Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)
- Has the least heat resistance out of all the types
- Mainly mined in South Africa, Australia and Bolivia
- Used to insulate steam engines and, less commonly, in some spray-on coatings, pipe insulation and cement products
Tremolite
- Not used commercially
- Can be found as a contaminant in Chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc powders
- Can be white, grey, green or even transparent
Anthophyllite
- Not used commercially
- Found as a contaminant, most commonly in composite flooring
Actinolite
- Not as flexible as the other types of asbestos
- Not use commercially but can be found as a contaminant in some asbestos products
