Anthophyllite Asbestos

Anthophyllite asbestos is known to cause asbestos-related diseases, however, most studies

indicate the risk of developing mesothelioma from anthophyllite exposure is much less than it is
from exposure to other types of asbestos.
Although it took much longer for anthophyllite to be recognized as a mesothelioma risk than it
did for amosite, chrysotile and crocidolite asbestos, there is a clear connection from exposure to
it and to the development of mesothelioma.
Uses of Anthophyllite Asbestos
Anthophyllite is one of the rarest types of asbestos and does not have a long history of
commercial use. The mining of this mineral began in Finland in 1890. Since then, smaller
deposits were mined in North Carolina and Georgia.
While considered to be among the noncommercial types of asbestos, anthophyllite has been
used in products containing minerals such as vermiculite and talc.

Consumer talcums and powders: mineral and chemical

characterization.
Rohl AN, Langer AM, Selikoff IJ, Tordini A, Klimentidis R, Bowes DR, Skinner DL.
Abstract
Representative consumer talcums and powders, including 20 body powders, baby powders,
facial talcums, and also one pharmaceutical talc, were analyzed to determine their mineralogical
and chemical composition. Where known, all were formulated prior to 1973. Of the 20 products
10 contained detectable amounts of tremolite and anthophyllite, principally asbestiform, while
some also contained fragmented forms of these minerals. The amounts ranged from tenths of a
percent to over 14% by weight; two contained detectable amounts of chrysotile asbestos fiber.
Eight contained quartz, seven ranging from 2 to 5%, with one as high as 35%. The analyses
showed that the consumer products examined were rarely the pure mineral talc, but rather were
mixtures of various minerals; some samples consisted of three to five minerals, only one of
which was talc. Other common mineral phases included chlorite, platy serpentine, pyrophyllitem
mica, and carbonate minerals. Kaolin additive was identified in two products. The single
pharmaceutical talc examined contained only a trace amount of quartz. The chemical
composition of these products, including both major oxide and trace element content, correlated
with their mineral components. Four samples contained substantial concentrations of nickel,
cobalt, and chromium, suggesting latice substitution or the presence of trace mineral phases.
Geological provenance of the talcs may be ascertained on the basis of chemistry. Possible
adverse health effects from intermittent use of these products, especially those that contain
asbestiform and fragmented anthophyllite and tremolite, chrysotile, quartz, and trace metals, are
presently unknown and warrnat evaluation.
PMID: 1011287

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1011287
J Toxicol Environ Health. 1976 Nov;2(2):255-84.