Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals. These minerals have been mined from the earth and used in a wide variety of products since ancient times due to their stable chemical properties which make them highly insulative, resistant to heat and resistant to chemical attack. Due to these properties it was once claimed as the worlds ‘miracle fibre’ and it's name derives from the ancient Greek word, ἄσβεστος, for 'unquenchable' or 'inextinguishable'.

Unfortunately, it's now clear that, when inhaled, the microscopic asbestos fibres are highly carcinogenic and can have devastating health effects for workers and home-owners which only become apparent 30-40 years after initial exposure. Worse still, attempting to remove asbestos products without the correct procedures, RPE, PPE and equipment can actually release more of these invisible fibres into the air and into the surrounding environment. This is why asbestos products are referred to as the 'invisible killer'. For more information refer to our articles on asbestos exposure and identifying asbestos. 

Australia and New Zealand asbestos has been used in over 3000 products and despite a total ban on the use and manufacture of Asbestos products in 2003 it is still present in approximately one third of Australian homes.

There are three common types of asbestos fibres:

• White Asbestos (Chrysotile) – Fibres are curly and difficult to separate. They are white to grey in colour. 
• Brown asbestos (Amosite)  – The type of asbestos found most in sprayed insulation materials.
• Blue Asbestos (Crocidolite) – Encountered in maintenance and removal work. It's fibres are straight and coloured dark blue.

Under NSW Occupational Health and safety legislation, material that contains asbestos is referred to as either friable or bonded.