Actinolite Asbestos
Actinolite is an amphibole, or a straight, needle-like mineral that is generally dark in color. This mineral is also considered to be a type of fibrous mineral used in industrial and manufacturing processes known as asbestos.
Actinolite (pronounced ak-TIN-uh-lyte) can appear in multiple forms such as dense and compact or brittle and fibrous, along with different colors, including white, gray, brown or green. The mineral’s name stems from the Greek “aktinos,” meaning “ray” or “beam,” stemming from its radiating fibrous form. Actinolite is made up of other minerals and substances such as:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Silicon
- Oxygen
- Hydrogen
- The Industrial Uses of Actinolite
There are six main types of asbestos, and amphiboles are one of the most common forms. Amphiboles are a curlier, or serpentine, variety. Because amphiboles tend to be more brittle than serpentine asbestos, they’re used less often in manufacturing. Actinolite’s internal composition is very similar to other asbestos forms such as tremolite and anthophyllite.
Actinolite is typically used with the similar mineral vermiculite, which expands when heated. Vermiculite and actinolite make for an effective, light-weight insulation material. Other common uses for actinolite and vermiculite include:
- Insulation material
- Gardening
- Concrete materials used in construction
- Structural fire-proofing
How Does Actinolite Affect Our Health?
Today, healthcare and government organizations recognize the dangers of asbestos exposure, as actinolite may still be present in buildings, homes or other locations that were constructed before asbestos was considered to be a hazardous material.
This material has been found in products such as:
- Paints
- Sealants
- Drywall
- Joint compounds
- Children's toys
Individuals may have been unknowingly exposed to this material.
Regardless of the type, asbestos is classified by healthcare groups as a human carcinogen, or a cancer-causing agent. According to the Environmental Working Group, each year more than 10,000 deaths occur in the U.S. due to asbestos.
When inhaled or ingested, the microscopic actinolite asbestos fibers may become lodged into the lining of the lungs, stomach or heart. These fibers are very difficult to expel and can eventually lead to cellular damage. Over time, this can result in increased risks for respiratory and lung conditions including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Contact with Actinolite
In April 2002, about 30,000 cubic yards of rock that contained asbestos were dumped in a residential area. The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission ordered that the dumping be stopped and the material be removed.
The materials had been dumped by a local university, Stevens Institute of Technology. A New Jerfsey engineering firm tested for asbestos content and found that 10 percent was actinolite. Not only was this much more than reported by the university, but it far exceeded accepted safety standards.