An Introduction to Asbestos

Now that the California serpentine flap has reached the New York Times, maybe more people are ready to learn what geologists teach about asbestos. It's basically an industrial term, avoided by mineralogists, with distinctly different meanings in the hands of medical researchers and environmental regulators. It is very important to keep these meanings clear and distinct during discussions, especially since many people are determined to blur the distinctions.
_{Chrysotile fibers — Geology Guide photo}