Amphibole asbestos · Brown
Amosite - Brown asbestos (grunerite)
Amosite, also called brown asbestos, is an iron-rich mineral of the amphibole group. The fibres are straight, stiff and long. Amosite was mined mainly in South Africa. The name comes from the mining company "Asbestos Mines of South Africa" (AMOSA).
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Mineral group
Amphibole
Colour
Brown
Formula
(Fe,Mg)₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Risk level
High
Characteristics
- ✓Straight, stiff fibres
- ✓Highly heat-resistant
- ✓Very long fibres (up to several centimetres)
- ✓Iron-rich amphibole
Historical uses
- •Sprayed thermal insulation
- •Fire protection in buildings and on ships
- •Pipe insulation and sprayed acoustic plaster
- •Reinforcement of cement boards (especially in the 1970s)
- •Heat-resistant gaskets
Where can amosite be found?
- •Sprayed insulation in basements and plant rooms
- •Thermal insulation in shipbuilding
- •Boiler rooms, heating plants and switchgear rooms
Amosite in older buildings
Amosite was used mainly in the 1960s and 1970s in sprayed insulation and pipe insulation. Such insulation can still be present in industrial buildings, public buildings and plant rooms. Dusty insulation must never be sent by post – leave it to a specialist contractor.
Ban
All use of asbestos has been banned throughout the EU since 1 January 2005 (Directive 1999/77/EC). Many member states banned it earlier; the exact year depends on your country.
Health risk
High. As an amphibole asbestos, the long, stiff amosite fibres stay in the lungs and are closely linked to mesothelioma. Exposure must be avoided at all costs.
Do you suspect amosite in your material?
Order an asbestos analysis – we identify all six types of asbestos with the JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope.