Definition

Asbestos

Asbestos means the asbestiform varieties of mineral silicates belonging to the serpentine or amphibole groups of rock-forming minerals, including actinolite asbestos, grunerite (or amosite) asbestos (brown), anthophyllite asbestos, chrysotile asbestos (white), crocidolite asbestos (blue) and tremolite asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in the Australian residential building industry between the 1940s and 1970s due to its durability, fire resistance and insulating properties. It is now known that when disturbed, asbestos releases small fibres that can easily be inhaled, which are a major health hazard.

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