A look into Chrysotile (white asbestos)

Chrysotile (or white asbestos as it is commonly called) is said by experts to be the most popular type of asbestos used throughout the 20th century. This mineral has curly, flexible fibres and made up a huge majority of all the asbestos used before we fully understood how dangerous it was.

What Made It So Popular?

What set chrysotile apart from other asbestos types were its curly, bendy fibres, completely different from the straight, needle-sharp fibres of other varieties. This made it incredibly useful for all sorts of industrial jobs: insulation, fireproofing, cement products and common car parts. Its ability to resist heat and last for decades made it the go-to material for construction work.

You will find chrysotile in lots of British buildings built between, but not exclusive to, the 1950s and 1980s especially in pipe insulation, boiler coverings, ceiling tiles and those textured coatings that were sprayed on. Public buildings, schools and houses from that time still contain materials made with chrysotile.

The Health Dangers

It was believed at the time that chrysotile was the “safer” option compared to other asbestos types, but that turned out not to be true. When these fibres get into the air and you breathe them in, they can cause serious lung problems including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The scary thing is these diseases often do not show up until 20 to 40 years after you have been exposed, which makes spotting them early really difficult.

Getting an expert to identify it is vital because you cannot tell chrysotile from other asbestos types just by looking, you need laboratory tests. If the materials are still in good condition and nobody is disturbing them, you can often leave them alone and monitor them regularly.

Armco Asbestos Consultants know asbestos inside out. We can identify chrysotile, assess the risks, and remove it safely when needed. Our qualified team helps property owners stay on the right side of all the laws and regulations, while keeping everyone safe from asbestos exposure.

We have been helping the UK identify chrysotile for well over 20 years now and have the ability to provide you with any information you may need regarding chrysotile or any other type of asbestos from asbestos surveys in Manchester to asbestos surveys in London, Armco is your first call.

Published Aug 22, 2025