Tremolite Asbestos
Tremolite is considered to be a major health risk and is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of the six officially recognized types of asbestos. It is considered an amphibole, a mineral group characterized by separable fibers that are thin, long and straight.
Tremolite fibers have been useful for commercial products because they are strong, flexible, heat-resistant, and can be spun and woven into cloth. However, many people exposed to products containing tremolite developed lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma later in life.
In one study conducted in 1988, miners and millers from the Thetford Mines in Quebec, Canada, were evaluated for the presence of asbestos-related diseases. The study revealed that high tremolite fiber concentrations were present in those who developed mesothelioma.
Uses of Tremolite
PaintsTremolite was used in a variety of commercial and industrial products because of its ability to insulate and fireproof materials. Some of the more common products that contained tremolite included:
- Sealants
- Insulation
- Roofing materials
- Plumbing materials
Tremolite contains calcium, magnesium, silicon, hydrogen and oxygen. The mineral can be brown, gray, white or green and may appear to be transparent.
Minerals That Contain Tremolite
Rarely mined on its own, tremolite is often found in large amounts of other minerals such as talc and vermiculite. Researchers found that talc miners and millers experience higher risks for developing lung cancer and other respiratory conditions. When these minerals are used for industrial purposes, exposure to asbestos becomes a concern.
Talc
Talc is the softest known mineral on earth and is used for myriad industrial purposes including chalk, paints, rubber, cosmetics, ceramics and pharmaceuticals (for lung function). Most famously, this mineral is used for making talcum powder. Since 1973, U.S. laws require all commercial talcum products be asbestos-free.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a mineral that expands when heated, a process called “exfoliation” or “popping." This process forms a light-weight material used for industrial purposes including insulation, packing materials and soil improvement. Becausevermiculite can contain large amounts of tremolite, exposure may increase a person’s risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.
This health risk is illustrated by the mining and milling operations in Libby, Montana, one of the United States’ largest sources of vermiculite. The tremolite-contaminated vermiculite at Libby was sold as Zolonite attic insulation, which the EPA estimates could be in millions of American homes. Because more than 70 percent of the vermiculite sold in the United States between 1919 and 1990 came from Libby, professionals recommend treating all vermiculite insulation as if it were contaminated with tremolite.
From 1923 to 1990, miners and millers of vermiculite were found to have higher incidences of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.