Types of Asbestos
Serpentine asbestos:
White (chrysotile): This type of asbestos has curly fibers and is more flexible than other asbestos varieties. It is also the most common type of asbestos found in buildings in the United States.
Amph ibole asbestos
Brown (amosite): This type of asbestos has needle-like fibers and is found in fire retardant materials.
Blue (crocidolite): This dangerous form of asbestos has particularly friable fibers, meaning that they break off with little provocation.
Other: There are other minerals regulated under asbestos laws but they are less common than the three mentioned above. There are also several unregulated "asbestiform" products that could pose similar health risks to asbestos. These may be found in some vermiculite products, particularly those manufactured by W.R. Grace and Company at the Libby mine in Montana.
