Chrysotile asbestos is the most common form of asbestos used in industrial capacities and accounts for nearly 90% of all serpentine asbestos found around the world today. Since the health complications caused by asbestos exposure became evident in the 1970’s, the import and export of chrysotile asbestos has been battled over between the asbestos merchants and health professionals. Chrysotile producing countries include Canada, Italy, and Russia. Some of these countries do not have the same stringent regulations upon asbestos mining that the United States does, meaning asbestos is still being exported around the world.
However, Canada’s regulations have tightened on the mining of chrysotile asbestos and many European countries are following suit. Chrysotile asbestos was used for, as all asbestos was, many different compounds. However, almost 90% of it is used in a compound known as chrysotile cement. Chrysotile cement can be used to create shingles, tiles, and other construction compounds because it is quite versatile. The asbestos fibers were added to these compounds because asbestos is known to provide excellent insulation and fire-retardant qualities, qualities for which it was primarily used. It was also added to asphalt and road construction compounds, for which it was claimed to increase the durability of these materials.
Chrysotile asbestos is not safe. When friable or in compounds rendered friable, meaning it is able to be crushed or pulverized by human hand pressure, it is extremely dangerous. Once inhaled asbestos cannot be broken down by the body’s natural mechanisms and can cause extreme internal tissue damage. Prolonged exposure to any asbestos will increase an individual’s potential to develop malignant mesothelioma.