White asbestos in its host rock (grey). Asbestos refers to six natural silicate minerals, divided between the serpentine and amphibole classes. All ha


White asbestos in its host rock (grey). Asbestos refers to six natural silicate minerals, divided between the serpentine and amphibole classes. All have a typical appearance of thin, fibrous crystals. The different forms of asbestos differ in their composition and the health hazard they pose when inhaled. Asbestos has been widely used for its excellent insulating and heat-resistant properties. This sample is of chrysotile (white asbestos), the most dangerous form of asbestos, here associated with dark grey graphitic rock. This sample measures 7cm across and is from Saxony, Germany.


Size: 5125px × 3417px
Photo credit: © DIRK WIERSMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -life, asbestos, chrysotile, crystal, crystalline, crystallised, crystallized, crystals, cut, cut-, cut-outs, cutout, cutouts, danger, dangerous, earth, europe, european, fibrous, geographical, geography, geological, geology, germany, graphite, graphitic, hazard, hazardous, heat, host, insulating, insulation, kaisersberg, life, mineral, mineralogical, mineralogy, outs, resistance, resistant, risk, risky, rock, sample, saxony, science, serpentine, silicate, silicates, white