What is asbestos?
AnswerA group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals
Asbestos is a set of silicate minerals that form long, thin, flexible fibers.
Science · Facts & stats
Asbestos facts & stats
8 fact-checked facts about asbestos, each with the reason behind it. 4 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
Asbestos is mainly a health hazard when what happens?
AnswerIts tiny fibers get into the air and are breathed in
Danger comes from inhaling airborne fibers, which is why damaged or disturbed material is the main concern.
Going deeper
The word "asbestos" comes from a Greek word meaning what?
AnswerUnquenchable or inextinguishable
Greek 'asbestos' means unquenchable, reflecting the mineral's resistance to fire.
Crocidolite is commonly known by what color name?
AnswerBlue asbestos
Crocidolite is blue asbestos; chrysotile is white and amosite is brown.
Asbestos exposure is strongly linked with mesothelioma, a cancer of what?
AnswerThe thin lining around the lungs and abdomen
Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium, the thin lining around organs such as the lungs.
The brown asbestos known as amosite got its name from what?
AnswerAsbestos Mines of South Africa
Amosite is named from the acronym AMOSA, for Asbestos Mines of South Africa.
Expert level
The town of Asbestos in Quebec, Canada, was renamed to what in 2020?
AnswerVal-des-Sources
Asbestos, Quebec, once home to a huge chrysotile mine, became Val-des-Sources in 2020.
Straight, needle-like asbestos fibers such as crocidolite belong to which mineral group?
AnswerAmphibole
Amphibole asbestos forms straight, needle-like fibers, unlike the curly fibers of serpentine chrysotile.
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