All types of asbestos are dangerous and hazardous to your health, but three common types of asbestos are used in construction. In total, there are six forms of asbestos fibers. However, we will be discussing the three most used in homes and businesses in the United States. All asbestos fibers are very tiny and cannot be easily seen. That is what makes asbestos so dangerous. You cannot see it and only know if your property has it through testing. Once exposed, it can take decades for a warning sign to arise. Asbestos is often called a silent killer because of this.
Chrysotile is the most frequently used type of asbestos and was used in most types of construction, textiles, and friction materials. It is known to be in 95% of asbestos-containing materials in the United States. If you look under a microscope, you can see the chrysotile fibers, and they are white in color, curly, and very flexible.
Amosite is the second most common asbestos fiber used in construction materials. The fibers resemble needles and are very sharp. These fibers can quickly become trapped in the lungs or stomach once they enter your body. They can enter your body through the mouth of your nose.
Tremolite is the 3rd most commonly used asbestos fiber. These fibers range in color and can be green and even white. Tremolite fibers are sharp like amosite and can quickly become trapped in your lungs or stomach, where they can cause significant illnesses.
The above three types of asbestos have been known to cause devastating illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. These types of asbestos fibers were used in all types of building materials for decades, and many homes and businesses still contain asbestos fibers. If you believe your home or business contains asbestos, contact an asbestos abatement professional as soon as you can!