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NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

ASBESTOS MEDITEXT ® - Medical Management Page 1 of 2

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ASBESTOS MEDITEXT ® - Medical Management

11.0 PHYSICOCHEMICAL

11.1 PHYSICAL PARAMETERS

11.1.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

A. Asbestos is a generic name for a class of naturally occurring, hydrated, fibrous silicates. In general, asbestos fibers are white, gray, green, or brown fibers, have exceptional tensile strength, are moldable, and are relatively inert chemically. They are incombustible in air and separate into filaments. Asbestos is divided into two groups (Budavari, 1996; ITI, 1988; Lewis, 1993, Lewis, 1998; Sittig, 1991): 1. Serpentine asbestos is the mineral chrysotile, a magnesium silicate, with strong, flexible fibers. It is possible to spin the longer serpentine fibers. Serpentine or chrysotile asbestos (white asbestos) is the most common form of asbestos. 2. Amphibole asbestos includes various silicates of magnesium, iron, calcium, and sodium. The fibers of this group are generally brittle and cannot be spun, but they are more resistant to chemicals and heat than serpentine asbestos. Subdivisions of amphibole asbestos include anthophyllite, amosite, actinolite, tremolite, and crocidolite (blue asbestos).

11.1.5 OTHER

A. HEAT CONDUCTIVITY: conducts heat poorly (Lewis, 1998)

11.2 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS

11.2.2 REACTIVITY

A. Asbestos has high tensile strength, relative resistance to acid and temperature, and varying textures and degrees of flexibility (ATSDR, 1990). It does not evaporate, dissolve, bum, or undergo significant reactions with other chemicals; thus, it is nonbiodegradable and environmentally cumulative (ATSDR, 1990). B. Chrysotile asbestos is not stable in acids, hydroxides, and living tissue (Budavari, 1996; Spumy et al, 1983).

11.2.3 SOLUBILITY

A. SOLUBILITY IN WATER 1. Asbestos as a class is virtually insoluble (Lewis, 1998).

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