How is asbestos identified, tested and measured?

Asbestos is a natural inorganic pollutant that can be either fibres or particulates of crystalline inorganic compounds, frequently occurring as silicates, and in most cases remain in this form.

Asbestos has been used historically in wicks for lamps, pottery, and woven items from around 4000 years ago. The properties of this naturally occurring mineral fibre are a reason why it is still is prevalent. These properties include strength, thermal and acoustic features, it was and unfortunately still is readily incorporated into many industrial and building applications and products.

All will eventually undergo chemical weathering at various rates dependent upon the minerals within the environment. For example, quartz is resistant to natural weathering, whereas calcite particles dissolve in moist acidic environments. Other mineral pollutants such as metallic ore minerals release metal ions after weathering into the aquatic environment or into soil.
The health hazards of asbestos are not due to a biochemical reaction but are due to irritational effect related to the size and shape and the surface of the fibres or particles. This may cause an inflammatory reaction within body tissues and in particular the lungs.

Dust particles may range up to 150 microns, however smaller particles including fibres less than 10 microns in size the materials remain suspended in the air and maybe inhaled into the lungs. Particles or fibres less than 5 microns in size can penetrate into the lung tissue causing an inflammatory response.
The World Health Organisation definition under current regulations defines an asbestos fibre as greater than five (5) microns in length and less than three (3) microns in width, with a length to diameter ratio of greater than three (3).

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Factsheet: Identification and measurement of asbestos

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