Understanding Asbestos: Exploring Its Types, Forms, and Presence in Materials

Understanding Asbestos, It’s Types, Form and Materials

Asbestos is one of those words that the majority of the population will have heard it, but very few will understand. For decades, it was widely used across Australia in homes, schools, factories, and even cars. Builders once praised it for being cheap, durable, and resistant to fire and heat. However, the health hazards could not be underestimated later on and the material which was once relied upon became a national hazard.

If you live in an older home, or building there’s a strong chance asbestos may still be present. you already know asbestos has left a deep mark on Australia’s history. Knowing what kind of asbestos, in what forms it can occur, and the common materials that contain it is not just useful but also necessary to protect yourself and your family.

In this guide, we will divide the various asbestos types, its forms and where it is mostly found and the health hazard associated with it. By the end, You will know better what asbestos is and why safe management is important.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos refers to a group of six naturally occurring minerals made up of thin, fibrous crystals. Every fibre consists of tiny structures called fibrils that may be aerosolised.  What made asbestos so attractive to builders and manufacturers was its resistance to heat, chemicals, and electricity.

Asbestos, in a normal sense, is a natural mineral; however, that acts in a very different way compared to most of the rocks or soils. When processed, it can be woven, mixed with cement, or added to building materials. This flexibility explains why it has been used in roofing, insulation, cement sheeting, tiles, pipes, and even automobile parts and why today, professional asbestos removal services are crucial when dealing with it.

A Brief History of Australia

Asbestos mining in Australia started in the early 20th century, with the most infamous site being Wittenoom in Western Australia, where blue asbestos (crocidolite) was mined. In the mid-20th century, the use of asbestos was at its peak; thousands of homes and buildings were built with products made out of asbestos.

By the 1970s and 1980s, research around the world confirmed the serious health risks. Australia took steps to ban asbestos products, and in 2003, a complete ban on the manufacture, import and use of all forms of asbestos came into effect. Despite the ban, in older buildings, millions of tonnes of asbestos products are still present today, 

Different Types of Asbestos

Asbestos isn’t just one material but six types of asbestos that can be found, with each having its own outlook, structure, and hazards. These fall into two categories: serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos.

Chrysotile (White Asbestos)

The most widespread type of asbestos comprised up to 95% of the total asbestos that was used all over the globe.

  • Belongs to the serpentine group, meaning its fibres are curly and flexible.
  • Applied in cement sheets, roofing, brake linings, gaskets and insulation.
  • Chrysotile fibres may still cause mesothelioma and other pulmonary illnesses, although they are deemed a little less harmful as compared to other categories.

Amosite (Brown Asbestos)

One of the amphibole asbestos types, with straight, brittle fibres.

  • Commonly found in insulation boards, cement sheets, and ceiling tiles.
  • Highly heat-resistant, which made it useful in industrial applications.
  • More dangerous than chrysotile, as its fibres are more likely to lodge deep in the lungs.

Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)

  • Known as the most hazardous type of asbestos.
  • Fibres are extremely fine, sharp, and easily inhaled.
  • Once used in spray-on coatings, cement products, and pipe insulation.
  • Strongly linked to mesothelioma, with many of Australia’s cases tied to crocidolite exposure.

Tremolite, Anthophyllite, and Actinolite

  • Less commonly used commercially but still dangerous.
  • Often found as contaminants in other minerals or asbestos products.
  • Can appear in talc powders, paints, and sealants.

When people talk about the different types of asbestos, the most common ones they mean are white, brown, and blue asbestos. Each has left a lasting legacy in Australian homes and workplaces.

Forms of Asbestos

Beyond its types, asbestos can also appear in different forms depending on how it was used. Knowing whether asbestos is friable or non-friable is vital, as it determines the level of risk and how it should be managed.

Fibrous Asbestos (Friable)

“Friable” means it can be crumbled easily by hand, releasing fibres into the air.

  • Examples include sprayed insulation, loose-fill asbestos, or pipe lagging.
  • Extremely dangerous because the fibres become airborne with little disturbance.
  • In New South Wales, the infamous Mr Fluffy insulation scandal is an example of fibrous asbestos creating major health risks.

Non-Fibrous Asbestos (Bonded)

In this form, asbestos fibres are tightly bound in cement or resin.

  • Common examples include corrugated roofing, cement pipes, and floor tiles.
  • Generally less dangerous unless cut, drilled, or damaged.
  • Many older suburban houses across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane still contain non-fibrous asbestos products.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials

Asbestos found its way into thousands of products, but in Australia, it was especially widespread in:

  • Cement sheeting (used for walls, roofs, and fences)
  • Roofing materials (corrugated sheets, shingles)
  • Floor coverings (vinyl tiles, adhesives)
  • Insulation (pipes, boilers, ceilings)
  • Car parts (brake pads, clutch linings, gaskets)
  • Textiles (fire blankets, protective clothing)

If asbestos is found during renovation, many homeowners immediately ask about asbestos removal costs. These vary depending on the size of the job, the type of asbestos, and the safety measures required.

Health Effects From Exposure to Asbestos

Asbestos fibres are tiny and are invisible to the eye. After reaching the lungs they remain permanently.  In the long run, it can lead to extreme health issues, such as:

  • Asbestosis– scars on lung tissue, which mak us hard to breathe.
  • Mesothelioma – an uncommon and violent disease of the lung or stomach wall.
  • Lung cancer- increased risk among those who are exposed to asbestos especially smokers.
  • Pleural plaques and thickening – non-cancerous conditions that affect lung function.

The rate of mesothelioma in Australia is the highest in the world, and this situation is explained by fact that asbestos was used in extremely high amounts in the construction and manufacturing sector.

The worst part about asbestos is that it has a very long latency period- symptoms can take 20-40 years before they are detected. This is why strict safety rules exist today for handling and disposing of asbestos.

Conclusion

In Australia asbestos is not used anymore, but it left its trace in millions of houses and constructions. Understanding the types and forms of asbestos, as well as the materials that contain it, is essential  for safety.

In case you suspect asbestos in your property, the best way is to avoid disturbing it and contact PureSafe, a licensed asbestos removalist.Trying to take it away by yourself can expose you from harmful fibres and put you, your family, and your neighbours at risk.

To ensure your home or workplace is managed safely, request a quote before starting any renovations or demolitions. Knowledge is the first step to protection, and by being aware of asbestos risks, you’re better equipped to handle them responsibly.

FAQs

The six types of asbestos are chrysotile (white), amosite (brown asbestos), crocidolite (blue), tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite, with each having its own outlook, structure, and hazards.

Yes. Amosite (brown asbestos) is very dangerous with the aspect of its brittle and needle like fibres which are more likely to cause lung damage on inhalation.

Homes built before the 1990s may contain asbestos in roofing, walls, flooring, and insulation. Professional testing is the only way of confirming.

Fibrous asbestos, also called friable asbestos, is a material that can easily crumble by hand, releasing fibres into the air.  It is the most dangerous to health.

Do not cut, drill, or disturb the material. Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist to test and safely handle it.