Amphibole asbestos · Greyish white
Anthophyllite - Grey-white amphibole asbestos
Anthophyllite is a magnesium-rich mineral of the amphibole group. The fibres are straight and rigid. Finland has been a globally significant producer of anthophyllite asbestos – the Paakkila mine in Tuusniemi was in its day the largest anthophyllite mine in the world.
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Mineral group
Amphibole
Colour
Greyish white
Formula
(Mg,Fe)₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Risk level
High
Characteristics
- ✓Straight, rigid fibres
- ✓Magnesium-rich amphibole
- ✓Highly heat-resistant
- ✓Rare globally, common in Finland
Historical uses
- •Finnish building fillers
- •Cement products of domestic manufacture
- •Thermal insulation
- •Insulation in electrical equipment
Where can Anthophyllite be found?
- •Finnish wall fillers (1920–1975)
- •Old pipe insulation
- •Building materials made with output from Paakkila
Anthophyllite in Finland
Anthophyllite is a highly significant form of asbestos in Finland. The Paakkila mine was worked from 1918 to 1975 in Tuusniemi. The anthophyllite asbestos mined there went mainly into the domestic construction industry, which is why old Finnish fillers often contain anthophyllite specifically – not chrysotile. This is particularly important to know when carrying out an asbestos survey.
Ban
Banned in Finland in 1994. Production at Paakkila ended in 1975.
Health risk
High. As an amphibole asbestos, anthophyllite persists in the lungs and causes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Among the Finnish population, exposure to anthophyllite is one of the most important causes of asbestos-related disease.
Do you suspect Anthophyllite in your material?
Order an asbestos analysis – we identify all six types of asbestos with a JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope.