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1 item @ $25.00   30:00

Chrysotile var. asbestos

#AH52005

Chrysotile var. asbestos

#AH52005
Availability
Sold
Size
10 x 6 x 5 cm - Cabinet 
Formula
Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 (RRUFF)
Locality
Normandie mine, Chaudière-Appalaches, Québec, Canada

Fibrous crystals of Chrysotile aka asbestos. It's a great specimen for demonstration of this mineral which has be victimized by civilization unknowingly using the mineral in practical applications such as insulation and ceiling tile, which were meant to conserve heat and prevent fires in houses and schools. It was an innocent application, which society allowed since it was not known to be a carcinogen at the time. Long term exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma. According to Wikipedia "High rates of disease occur in people who mine asbestos, produce products from asbestos, work with asbestos products, live with asbestos workers, or work in buildings containing asbestos". "Asbestos" is not a mineral name but a mineral habit which implies fibrous or needle-like crystals and it is is not just found in the mineral  Chrysotile. The same mineral characteristics can be found in hundreds of minerals all over the world. including actinolite, amphibole, talc, anthophyllite, serpentine, tremolite etc. Entire mountain ranges may include rock of this nature. It is not yet banned in the USA.

Having said all this, this specimen should be handled with care, and used only for demonstraitin and kept in a sealed plastic bag. Please handle with care.

Chrysotile

Formula
Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 
Crystal System
Monoclinic 
Crystal Habit
Acicular 
Luster
Silky 
Color
green 
Streak
white 
Class
Monoclinic - Prismatic 
Hardness
2.5 

Data courtesy of Webmineral.

Collection
Arnold G Hampson Collection

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