Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber found in certain types of rock formations in many locations throughout the world.  Asbestos can take the form of long, thin, separable fibers.  Most asbestos used in the U.S. was imported from mines in Canada, China, and Africa.  A smaller amount of asbestos was mined from locations in the U.S. 
 
When milled for various applications asbestos is a very small fiber, about 5 microns, they can not be seen by the naked eye.  The small fiber looking objects you may see when you tear a piece of linoleum paper backing are not asbestos fibers, they are supporting binders, those supporting binders you see are like the size of a 10 foot diameter red wood tree, the asbestos fibers inside the supporting binder would be the size of a needle.  Clearly not visible.  Asbestos can only be positively identified with a special microscope.

There are two major groups of asbestos:

     Serpentine Asbestos

• Chrysotile

     Amphibole Asbestos

• Tremolite
• Amosite
• Crocidolite
• Actinolite
• Anthophyllite

The major difference between serpentine and amphiboles is related to their chemical composition, acid-resistant properties, and their effects on human health.  

Chrysotile asbestos does not persist in the lungs after inhalation; it is quickly eliminated by the body. A prolonged exposure to high concentrations of chrysotile fibers is required for the clinical manifestation of pulmonary damage to appear.  In the past, such high exposures were frequent; it is no longer the case today.  Today, chrysotile is the only asbestos fiber commercialized.

Amphibole asbestos, on the other hand, because of their toxicity and their high biopersistence, are mainly responsible for mesothelioma and pulmonary diseases even caused after a short or moderate exposure.

Asbestos was used extensively in the past in building materials for its thermal insulating properties, and fire resistance.  It was also used in industrial products, and automotive parts and components because of its strengthening properties.

Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard and is highly regulated by OSHA, EPA and many state and local agencies.

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What is Asbestos