What is chrysotile?
Chrysotile is a fibrous mineral which does not burn or rot. It is resistant to most chemicals; it is flexible and possesses high tensile strength. This unique combination of properties makes chrysotile an extremely useful material which has been established, for many decades, as a major component of lightweight reinforced cement products, friction materials, high temperature seals and gaskets and a host of other applications.
Chrysotile has been known for over 2000 years, being used initially for cremation cloths, oil lamp wicks and other textiles. But it is only in the 19th Century that chrysotile was first mined commercially in the Urals (Russia), in Italy and in Canada.
Latest News
02/09/2021
Australia has clearly lost its way in its all-out attacks against the use of asbestos fibers around the world, especially when it voluntarily and indiscriminately includes the chrysotile fiber, the only one currently commercialized, in its denunciations.The position taken by its Asbestos Safety and...
09/08/2021
The safe and responsible use of any product, mix or fibers that carry a certain level of risk for human health is and efficient and respectful answer. However, it also requires a level of rigor that can lead as far as the banishment of products that can’t be efficiently controlled, such as...
09/08/2021
THE AUSTRALIAN STORY: THE NEED TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT TYPE OF FIBERS
For almost thirty years, in the middle of the last century, Australia was one of the world’s largest producer, user and exporter of an amphibole asbestos fiber, crocidolite, commonly referred to as blue asbestos....
FAQs
Is chrysotile dangerous to workers and how?
Dusts or airborne fibres including glass fibre, synthetic fibre, chrysotile fibre, stone dust, gasoline fume, exhaust fume, all are dangerous, if workers inhale and are exposed to them for a long period of time. However, the processing of chrysotile fibre as a raw material in manufacturing factories is properly controlled and thus, poses no risks to workers. Once the fibres are covered by cementous slurry, they are locked-in permanently and cannot escape.
Are workmen installing or fixing asbestos cement roof at risk of exposure to chrysotile?
Typical test results of air sampling show that fibre concentration is around 0.07 fibre/cc during cutting and installation of chrysotile cement roofing sheets. This is far below the level of 0.5 fibre/cc envisaged. There will be no risk for workmen or carpenters if they follow properly recommended work practices while installing or fixing roofing sheets.
Is there any evidence of workers who suffer from asbestos related diseases in Thai factories?
Thai manufacturers follow recommendations from the Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Public Health. They provide health check-up and lung x-ray for all employees annually. There is no evidence regarding the disease up to date.
Chrysotile Highlights
Chrysotile TV
Visit our Youtube Channel to learn more about Chrysotile.
