Asbestos
Asbestos is the common name for six naturally occurring minerals that have been used for their strength, flexibility, low electrical conductivity, and resistance to heat and chemicals.
Asbestos can be divided into two basic groups:
- serpentine: develops in a layered or tiered form
- amphibole: has a chain-like structure.
Identification
Asbestos is generally made up of fiber bundles which easily separate
into long, thin fibers. Positive identification of fiber type requires
a trained techician and a microscope.
The three most common types of fibers are:
- Chrysotile (white asbestos): A white curly fiber, chrysotile accounts for 90% of asbestos in products and is a member of the serpentine group.
- Amosite: Brown or gray, straight amosite fibers belong in the amphibole group.
- Crocidolite (Riebeckite): A member of the amphibole group, crocidolite takes the form of blue, straight fibers.
Other Asbestos Types
The other asbestos types, all in the amphibole group, are anthophyllite,
tremolite, and actinolite. Anthophyllite ranges in color from white
to gray to brown. It is associated with talc and other minerals.
Tremolite is white to grayish green and can be found in metamorphic
rocks. Actinolite appears as dark green crystals or fibrous aggregates.
Where is it used?
- Older insulation (pipe, boiler, corrugated air-cell, breaching, and block insulation; HVAC duct insulation; electrical wiring insulation)
- Older fireproofing/acoustical texture products (includes acoustical plaster, decorative plaster, textured paint or coatings, fire blankets, fire curtains, fire doors)
- Fireproofing textile and cloth products (includes blankets, protective cloth coverings, garments, asbestos gloves)
- Older spackling, patching & taping compounds used in historical applications
- Gaskets and Packings (includes high temperature gaskets, packings for industrial products, high pressure packing, asbestos packing reinforced with steel or copper wire)
- Asbestos-cement Pipe and Sheet Material
- Pre 1980s tiles, wallboard, siding and roofing (includes roofing shingles, roofing felt, base flashing, cement wallboard, cement siding, ceiling tiles and lay-in panels, asphalt floor tile, vinyl floor tile, vinyl sheet flooring, flooring backing, vinyl wall coverings)
- Automotive materials (brakes and clutches)
For More Information
Please contact ORM if you require more information. Most of the asbestos on campus is located in mechnical rooms and areas not readily accessed by the public. If you notice asbestos material that is not encapsulated, you must immediately contact PRS at 2222.