MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ASBESTOS

The term asbestos refers to amphiboles and chrysotile that have crystallized in a habit characterized by anomalous optical properties and component fibers that are sufficiently thin, strong, and flexible to render them useful for a variety of applications. The habit is referred to as asbestiform. Other minerals can be asbestiform but lack the same utilitarian properties that made asbestos a commercial product. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, but the mechanism(s) by which asbestos induces disease remains unknown, leaving open the question of what specific properties are associated with disease potential and what other mineral particles might produce the same diseases if inhaled. This paper will review the mineralogical characteristics of bulk and airborne asbestos as they relate to hypotheses for disease development. It will also describe the mineral characteristics of other minerals and amphibole mineral habits that have been implicated in the production of asbestos-related diseases, either by experience or analogy, with particular emphasis on the importance of terminology in assuring accurate communication of research results.