Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was once commonly used as a building material due to its insulation and thermal resistance properties. It is a naturally occurring mineral in countries such as Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa.

Since materials made with asbestos were strong, sound absorbent, heat resistant, and incombustible, asbestos was a good choice for building and electrical insulation.

Technically, “asbestos” is a legal and commercial term encompassing multiple types of minerals. Asbestos consists of six different types of unique minerals, such as chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite, which belong to the serpentine and amphibole families.

Serpentine Family of Asbestos

The serpentine family of asbestos has curly fibers made up of sheets of crystals. One of the major forms of asbestos from this family, known as chrysotile, is the most widely used form of asbestos, and finds its application in 95% of all asbestos throughout the world.

Amphibole Family of Asbestos

The amphibole family of asbestos has needle-shaped fibers. These fibers are known to be more harmful as compared to the serpentine family. Amosite and crocidolite are the two most commonly used commercial types of asbestos from the amphibole family.

Below, we’ll discuss all the different types of asbestos that may need to be removed from your Palatine home:

Chrysotile

Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, is the most widely used form of asbestos. The fibers of chrysotile are flexible and fine in texture, and they have high heat resistant properties. They were often used in roofing materials, brake pads, and in insulation of ducts, pipes, and appliances.

Amosite

Amosite, also known as brown asbestos, is strong and heat resistant. Owing to its strength and heat-resistant properties, it was commonly used in plumbing, cement sheets, and electrical insulation.

Crocidolite

Crocidolite, also known as blue asbestos, has very thin fibers that are brittle and extremely harmful when inhaled. It was used in plastics, pipe insulation, and cement products.

Anthophyllite

Anthophyllite fibers may have a grey-brown color, and they were often used in composite flooring. It was also used in products containing talc and vermiculite, such as talcum powder. Although not as harmful as the other forms of asbestos, studies suggest that it is still linked with the risk of developing mesothelioma.

Tremolite

Tremolite fibers can be found in materials made of various colors, such as white, green, or grey. The fibers are soft and can be woven into cloth. It finds its application in sealants, paints, and asbestos-containing insulation and talc products.

Actinolite

Actinolite fibers are dark in color. One of the major properties of this fiber is that it expands in heat, and therefore, finds its application as an effective insulation material. It can be mined in different forms, including fibrous, brittle, dense, and compact. It was often used in sealant, paints, and drywall.

So, how do you determine if asbestos is present on your Palatine property? Unfortunately, you can’t tell by smell, sight, or color, since asbestos comes in various shapes and forms.

Moreover, the width of a single asbestos fiber is about 10 times smaller than that of a human hair. Therefore, asbestos testing needs to be done by a professional who can take accurate samples and send them to a laboratory for testing.

Get Professional Help to Test and Remove Asbestos from your Palatine Property

Do you need test for asbestos or have asbestos removed from your commercial property or home? Are you seeking professional abatement services to have it taken care of? If so, we at Axis Response Group are the people to see.

Our team of seasoned asbestos abatement specialists has serviced many properties in the Palatine area. If you are looking for quick and safe asbestos removal, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today to discuss your needs!