The Characteristics of The 3 Types of Asbestos

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO to help identify the type of asbestos in your property.

Asbestos comes in three types which are chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite.

If you're like most people, you probably aren't aware that asbestos can be found in many buildings throughout Ohio. Until 1989, it was used in construction materials due to its resistance to high temperatures while also being considered inexpensive.

There are three types of asbestos commonly found in residential or commercial buildings. In this blog post, we will discuss the characteristics of each type of asbestos so that you can be more aware of what to look for and how to be safe from unwanted exposure!

What is asbestos, and where can it be found?

Asbestos Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals made of thin, microscopic fibers. These microscopic fibers can be loosely woven and still be very strong. Asbestos materials cannot be easily crushed or damaged, causing many construction professionals to use asbestos in different building materials. While asbestos doesn't conduct electricity and isn't radioactive, the fibers are resistant to fire, heat, and corrosion.

Asbestos is still found in most commercial and residential buildings built or renovated before 1989. Because of the high resistance to heat, asbestos was often used in fireproof building materials like insulation, ceiling tiles, walls, floors, cement, pipes, boiler insulation, roof shingles, heating furnace filters, and various other building supplies.

In some of the older homes and commercial buildings in Ohio, you can find all three types of asbestos:

1. Chrysotile
2. Amosite
3. Crocidolite

Characteristics of chrysotile

Chrysotile is the most commonly found type of asbestos throughout the United States. It was prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s and used for roofing materials, flooring materials, insulation, ceilings, and walls. It appears as a white, curly material that ranges from soft to stiff.

Characteristics of amosite

Amosite asbestos is another type of asbestos that's commonly found in the United States. It appears as brittle, shiny, needle-like fibers or as bundles of fibers with an orange or brown color. However, when this form of asbestos is crushed into a fibers sheet form, it appears black. Construction professionals used the amosite type of asbestos in cement sheets, pipe insulation, ceiling tiles, and many other insulation products back in the day.

Characteristics of crocidolite

Crocidolite asbestos is less commonly found, but it will appear more frequently in industrial properties. It appears as dark blue or green fibers that are extremely thin and straight with sharp ends; it looks almost like a horse's tail! Crocidolite was commonly used in spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, and cement products. 

What to do when you find asbestos?

If you suspect that asbestos is present in your property, it is essential not to touch any materials without testing the questionable material first. In addition, when handling asbestos, you should always wear protective gear, including coveralls, gloves, safety glasses or goggles covering eyes and mouth, and disposable respirators to prevent inhalation.

Testing for asbestos should always be performed by a certified environmental consultant who knows the EPA regulations.

If the results come back positive for asbestos in your home or commercial building, the professionals at SERVPRO of East Dayton/ Beavercreek can help!

Wrapping up

The professionals at SERVPRO know that still, asbestos appears in many homes and commercial buildings throughout Ohio, including Dayton. The three types of asbestos have unique characteristics and are easily identified with suitable instruments.

If you think asbestos may be present in your home or commercial building, call SERVPRO of East Dayton/Beavercreek. Our certified professionals are trained to identify and remove asbestos safely!

SERVPRO of East Dayton/Beavercreek is independently owned and operated. Our crews are available 24/7, 365 days a year, to respond to your restoration emergencies.