Asbestos

Asbestos is a name actually describing a group of mineral silicates, five of which are shown below. It has been used in insulation, roofing, flooring, cements and automobile brake linings just to name a few. The most common form of asbestos is chrysotile, with amosite and crocidolite being next in line.

Asbestos can cause serious health problems. Three specific diseases - asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer and mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the chest) - have been linked to asbestos.

Commonly Found Asbestos

Chrysotile Asbestos The most common form. Observed here with a dispersion staining objective and a 1.550 refractive index liquid.	Amosite Asbestos The second most common type of asbestos observed. Dispersion staining colors with a 1.680 refractive index liquid.
Anthophylite Asbestos Dispersion staining colors using a 1.605 Refractive index liquid.	Tremolite Asbestos Colors observed using a Red 1 filter.
Crocidolite Asbestos Dispersion staining colors using a 1.680 Refractive index liquid.	Fiberglass (Mineral Wool) Glass fibers are commonly mistaken for asbestos.