| The mineral asbestos consists of microscopically small fibres. There are different types of asbestos, divided into two mineral groups: serpentine and amphibole. Serpentines have curled fibres, whereas the fibres of amphiboles are rod-shaped and more dangerous.
The different types of asbestos are often distinguished by colour. White asbestos (chrysotile), a serpentine, is the most common type of asbestos. It makes up approximately 85% of all asbestos found in the Netherlands.
Asbestos types from the amphibole group, such as blue asbestos (crocidolite) and brown asbestos (amosite) are less common.
Serpentines (curled fibres)
 Chrysotile
= white asbestos
Amphiboles (rod-shaped fibres)
Amosite
= brown asbestos
Crocidolite
= blue asbestos
Tremolite
= whitish asbestos
Anthophyllite
= grey asbestos
The microscopically small asbestos fibres have been used in a broad variety of applications. Sometimes as a loose fibrous mixture, sometimes bonded with another material. Different types of asbestos may be combined in an application. |
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Only an electron microscope can reveal if something contains asbestos, and what type of asbestos it is.
Firmly-bound asbestos
In firmly-bound asbestos, the asbestos fibres are bonded with another material, usually cement or glue. The best-known examples are corrugated sheets and Eternit wall panels. It also was a popular material for making flower boxes, sewer pipes, gas pipes and water pipes. If firmly-bound asbestos is undamaged, it poses little health risk.
Loosely-bound (friable) asbestos
In loosely-bound asbestos, the likelihood of fibre release is much greater, because the fibres are not encased in another material. Therefore, loosely-bound asbestos always needs to be enclosed, encapsulated or removed. It has been applied in e.g. vinyl sheet flooring, heat-resistant clothing, sealant, isolation plates and as spray asbestos.
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