Asbestos
Definition
A group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals: chrysotile (serpentine) and the regulated amphiboles (crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite, anthophyllite). Defined analytically as fibres with aspect ratio >3:1 and length >5 micrometres. Regulated as a class-1 carcinogen.
Related terms
- Fly ash
- Spherical or hollow glass particles collected from flue gas during coal combustion; dominated by Si-Al-Fe chemistry with trace-element profiles reflecting the coal...
- Geoforensic location indicator
- A combination of particle types on clothing or in a vehicle whose presence or proportions narrow the possible locations where the person...
- Manufactured mineral fibre (MMF)
- Man-made fibrous materials (glass wool, rock wool, ceramic fibre) used as insulation; resembles asbestos morphologically but has different elemental composition (no iron...
- Phase contrast optical microscopy (PCOM)
- The WHO-recommended routine method for counting airborne asbestos fibres in occupational and environmental samples; counts fibres visible at 400-500x magnification, with confirmation...
- SEM-EDX
- Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electron beam excites characteristic X-rays from each element present in the target grain, giving...
Explained in
- Dust and Airborne Mineral ParticlesA group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals: chrysotile (serpentine) and the regulated amphiboles (crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite, an...