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The Six Types of Asbestos

"Asbestos" refers to six fibrous minerals that were once used in some industrial products and can be found in the natural environmental. A mineral fiber, asbestos was once added to a variety of products, ranging from floor tiles to door gaskets, to strengthen them and provide heat insulation and fire resistance.

The six types of asbestos are categorized into either the serpentine group - minerals with a layered form and curly fibers - or amphibole group - minerals with straight fibers with a chain-like structure. The six types of asbestos include:

• Tremolite Asbestos: Not often used industrially or commercially, tremolite asbestos can be found in certain talcum powders in limited amounts and within most metamorphic rocks.
• Actinolite Asbestos: Also a common mineral existing in metamorphic rocks and not often used industrially, actinolite asbestos are easily inhaled and severely damaging to the lungs.
• Chrysotile Asbestos: Also known as white asbestos, chrysotile asbestos has a serpentine fiber-formation, is the most common type of commercially used asbestos, and is less likely to be inhaled than other types of asbestos.
• Anthophylite Asbestos: Not used for commercial purposes, anthophylite asbestos can be found among natural minerals that expand with heat, such as vermiculite.
• Amosite Asbestos: Also known as brown asbestos, amosite asbestos was often used as an insulating material.
• Crocidolite Asbestos: Also known as blue asbestos, this very dangerous type of asbestos occurs naturally in such locations as Australia, Canada, and South Africa.

You can't tell whether or not a material contains asbestos just by looking at it; a licensed professional may determine the presence of asbestos through a series of tests. You should never disturb a material that you suspect may contain asbestos, as disturbing the material releases toxic mineral fibers into the air.

For more information on asbestos, contact RTS Environmental Services. Serving Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, RTS Environmental Services' team of experienced and licensed professionals have completed thousands of mold and asbestos solutions in such communities as Reston, Wheaton, and Ellicott City.

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