Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. Asbestos, once widely used in construction and industry throughout the world, fell out of favor when it became accepted in the 1960s that the fibers, when inhaled in high volumes, could cause death and permanent disability. Russian proponents say the type used here, chrysolite, or white asbestos, is perfectly safe and should be allowed in all types of industry
