Asbestos FAQs

Properties of Asbestos

What is Asbestos? General Properties

  • Naturally occurring mineral - fibrous silicates

  • Characterized by fine, long parallel fibers or bundles

  • Mined from earth

  • 86 types

  • 6 are regulated

Properties that make asbestos useful for building materials

  • Fire resistant

  • Heat, cold and sound insulator

  • Mechanical strength / good binder

  • Chemical & biological resistant

  • Can be milled and woven – ropes and fabrics

  • Stable in the environment

  • Does not evaporate into air or dissolve in water

  • Used in over 3000 building products

    • Usually mixed with other materials to form products

    • < 1% to 100% asbestos (>1% is EPA definition of ACM)