Six Types of Asbestos in Fairfax VA Homes
When experts refer to “asbestos” they are talking about six fibrous minerals that were once used in some industrial products; these minerals can also be found in our natural environmental. Before the dangers of asbestos were understood, asbestos was once added to a variety of products, ranging from floor tiles to door gaskets, to strengthen them and provide heat insulation and fire resistance. If you suspect you have asbestos, you may need asbestos abatement in your Fairfax VA home.
Asbestos can either be serpentine - minerals with a layered form and curly fibers - or amphibole - minerals with straight fibers and a chain-like structure. There are six types of asbestos:
- Tremolite Asbestos: Tremolite asbestos can be found in certain talcum powders in limited amounts and within most metamorphic rocks. Not often used industrially or commercially.
- Actinolite Asbestos: Actinolite asbestos is easily inhaled and severely damaging to the lungs. Also a common mineral existing in metamorphic rocks, and not often used industrially.
- Chrysotile Asbestos: Chrysotile asbestos (also known as white asbestos) has a serpentine fiber-formation, and is the most common type of commercially used asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos is less likely to be inhaled than other types of asbestos.
- Anthophylite Asbestos: Anthophylite asbestos can be found among natural minerals that expand with heat, such as vermiculite. Not used for commercial purposes.
- Amosite Asbestos: Amosite asbestos (also known as brown asbestos) was often used as an insulating material.
- Crocidolite Asbestos: Crocidolite asbestos (also known as blue asbestos) is a very dangerous type of asbestos that occurs naturally in such locations as Australia, Canada, and South Africa.
You should never disturb a material that you suspect may contain asbestos, as disturbing the asbestos material releases toxic mineral fibers into the air. If you have a home built in Fairfax VA before 1980, you may have asbestos in your home. You can't tell whether or not a material contains asbestos just by looking at it; a licensed professional, such as those at Envirotex, may determine the presence of asbestos through a series of tests. Envirotex will conduct an inspection; then should the asbestos need to be removed, Envirotex will safely perform asbestos abatement in your Fairfax VA home.
For more information on asbestos and asbestos abatement for your Fairfax VA home, please contact the experts at Envirotex. Serving all of Fairfax and all of Northern Virginia, Envirotex is the area's premier asbestos inspection, testing, abatement and removal contractors. Please call us today: 703-754-0892.
