chrysotile
/ˈkrɪsə(ʊ)tʌɪl
/noun [mass noun]
A fibrous form of the mineral serpentine. Also called white asbestos.A more insidious and difficult problem presented by asbestos dust is the link with cancer, and here again asbestiform amphibole has proved a more toxic mineral pathogen than chrysotile....
- Asbestos, a fibrous hydrous silicate mineral, exists in 6 forms for industrial use: actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite.
- Gibbs concluded that the different prevalences of pleural calcification in some mining areas might be related to a mineral closely associated with chrysotile, such as mica or talc.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Greek khrusos 'gold' + tilos 'fibre'.