Asbestos refers to six unique minerals;Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite, Anthophyllite, Tremolite and Actinolite.
Chrysotile belongs to the Serpentine family whereas the other five belong to the Amphibole family.
Serpentine Asbestos has curly fibers made up of sheets of crystals. The single type of Asbestos from the Serpentine family, Chrysotile, has historically accounted for more than 95 percent of all Asbestos used around the world. As a result of Asbestos-industry lobbying, some countries that have banned other types of Asbestos still permit the “controlled use” of chrysotile.
Amphibole Asbestos has needle-shaped fibers. Studies suggest it takes much less exposure to Amphibole Asbestos to cause cancer, compared to Serpentine Asbestos. Amosite and Crocidolite are the most commercially valuable types of Amphibole Asbestos, while Anthophyllite, Tremolite and Actinolite are considered non-commercial forms.