Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, which is typically divided into two mineralogical groups, but not all varieties of asbestos are used commercially.
The amphibole family includes crocidilite (also known as “blue asbestos”), amosite (also known as “brown asbestos”), tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Among the various types of amphibole fibers, only crocidilite and amosite were used commercially. However, the “noncommercial” amphibole fibers (tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite) are present as contaminants in commercially used products that include chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite and talc.
The other mineralogical group of asbestos is the serpentine group, and includes only the chrysotile variety of asbestos. Despite its hazardous properties, chrysotile was immensely popular with industry and accounts for over 90% of the asbestos used commercially in the United States.
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