Crocidolite Asbestos
Multiple asbestos studies suggest crocidolite may be responsible for more deaths than any other type of asbestos because its fibers are so thin, about the diameter of a strand of hair. When airborne, these fibers can be inhaled easily and become lodged in the lining of the lungs, more so than other forms of asbestos forms. Once inside the body, the fibers do not break down easily. This can lead to potentially life-threatening lung and abdominal conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
These health risks are especially common among crocidolite miners. An estimated 18 percent of crocidolite miners die from mesothelioma, research shows, and that people living near crocidolite mines may have increased risks for developing mesothelioma and other diseases.
A 2008 study published in Ultrastructural Pathology revealed that crocidolite fibers found in the lung tissue of U.S. mesothelioma patients increased from 4 to 10 percent between 1982 and 2005. The number of cases in which crocidolite was detected increased from 19 to 37 percent.
The existence of crocidolite asbestos was first established in the early 1800s in South Africa. At the time, the mineral was known as "wooly stone," but interest in the naturally occurring mineral didn’t take off until the 1880s – and large mining efforts of the material didn’t begin until the early 1900s.
Crocidolite is also known as "blue" asbestos. This form can be translucent or nearly opaque (which means light can’t penetrate it). The most common mining sites for this type of asbestos were Bolivia, Australia and southern Africa.
Today, crocidolite mining has virtually ceased because of both physical limitations and serious health risks. Crocidolite-containing materials are also more brittle than other amphibole asbestos products, meaning they break down sooner and can more readily lead to asbestos exposure.
Crocidolite is categorized as an amphibole, which is usually a needle-like mineral that forms in crystal groupings, either as fibers or columns. Typically, crocidolite fibers can be curved or straight. While brittle, the fibers are flexible enough to bend beyond 90 degrees before breaking.
Uses of Crocidolite
Like other types of asbestos, crocidolite was used to make a number of commercial and industrial products. It did have a drawback that other asbestos types did not: It is less heat-resistant, making it less useful for industrial manufacturing. Some of the leading uses of crocidolite asbestos included:
- Ceiling tiles
- Fire protection
- Insulation boards
- Chemical insulation
- Spray-on insulation
- Acid storage battery casings
- Water encasement (enclosing)
- Cement sheets containing asbestos
- Electrical or telecommunication wires
- Thermal insulation (lagging and gaskets)
- Millboards (commercial ovens and steam pipes)
Crocidolite asbestos was used less often for commercial products than any other type of asbestos.