Amphibole group

Amphibole group

Five types of asbestos are found in the amphibole group: amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Amosite, the second most likely type to be found in buildings, according to the U.S. EPA Asbestos Building Inspectors Guide, is the "brown" asbestos.

Amosite and crocidolite were formerly used in many products until the early 1980s. The use of all types of asbestos in the amphibole group was banned in much of the Western world by the mid-1980s, and by Japan in 1995. These products were mainly

1. Low density insulation board and ceiling tiles;

2. Asbestos-cement sheets and pipes for construction, casing for water and electrical/telecommunication services;

3. Thermal and chemical insulation (e.g., fire rated doors, limpet spray, lagging and gaskets).