Chrysotile—The Most Common Type of Asbestos

Because its properties meet more industrial needs than any other asbestos type, chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos used in the United States and throughout the world.  According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 95 percent of all asbestos used commercially is chrysotile.

Mined worldwide

Asbestos mining and production spans the globe.  The world’s largest deposits of chrysotile are in Russia, which comprises the largest percentage of the world’s production.  Other well-known chrysotile mining locations are in China, Canada, and Italy.  At one point, large amounts of chrysotile were mined in California, Vermont, and Wyoming, but U.S. production has stopped.

The six varieties of asbestos come in different colors. Chrysotile is identified as white asbestos, and is known for its curly rather than straight fibers.  The chrysotile extraction process involves crushing entire rocks and separating chrysotile fibers through washing or by using mechanical methods such as pneumatic blowing.

Chrysotile health risks

According to OSHA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no safe level of exposure to any type of asbestos.

Exposure to chrysotile is confirmed as a cause of cancer, and studies show that chrysotile-mining areas have a higher incidence of mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases than other areas.