Great Britain: What is asbestos?

Asbestos in Great Britain

Asbestos is a term used for a number of naturally occurring minerals that have crystallised to form long thin fibres and fibre bundles. Most common is the serpentine group, which includes chrysotile (white asbestos) and which has been the most frequently mined.

A second asbestos group known as the amphiboles includes crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos). The fibres have high tensile strength, and chemical, electrical and heat resistance – properties that made asbestos extremely useful as a building/insulation material.

Asbestos has been used extensively in Great Britain and throughout the world.