Amphibole asbestos · Greyish white
Anthophyllite - Grey-white amphibole asbestos
Anthophyllite is a magnesium-rich mineral of the amphibole group. The fibres are straight and stiff. Anthophyllite asbestos is rare worldwide – the largest known deposit was mined at the Paakkila mine in Finland, once the largest anthophyllite mine in the world.
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Mineral group
Amphibole
Colour
Greyish white
Formula
(Mg,Fe)₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Risk level
High
Characteristics
- ✓Straight, stiff fibres
- ✓Magnesium-rich amphibole
- ✓Highly heat-resistant
- ✓Rare worldwide
Historical uses
- •Fillers and plasters
- •Cement products
- •Thermal insulation
- •Insulation in electrical equipment
Where can anthophyllite be found?
- •Older wall fillers
- •Old pipe insulation
- •Building materials with anthophyllite as a filler
Anthophyllite in older buildings
Anthophyllite is found mainly in older fillers and plasters. A filler may therefore contain anthophyllite instead of chrysotile. That is why the analysis must be able to detect all six types of asbestos – our analysis with the JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope does exactly that.
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, anthophyllite stays in the lungs and causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Do you suspect anthophyllite in your material?
Order an asbestos analysis – we identify all six types of asbestos with the JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope.