A common misconception is that the term “asbestos” refers to one material, but asbestos is actually a group of six, naturally occurring minerals.
- Anthophyllite — this mineral also wasn’t used as much as other types of asbestos. But traces of anthophyllite can appear in chrysotile asbestos.
- Actinolite — this type of asbestos wasn’t particularly widely used, but it is found in some asbestos products such as insulation.
- Tremolite —- this mineral can be white, grey, green or transparent and has extremely fine fibres. It has some industrial applications, for example, as a fire retardant and in heat protection, but it wasn’t used for commercial purposes.
- Crocidolite — blue asbestos insulated steam engines and created spray-on coatings, plastic and cement products.
- Amosite — also known as brown asbestos, this is one of the most hazardous types of asbestos, with needle-like fibres that are easily inhaled. It is found in cement sheets, pipe insulation and thermal insulation products.
- Chrysotile — this is the most common type of asbestos, also known as white asbestos. It was previously used in floors, roofs, ceilings and walls of properties for insulation, sound and fireproofing.