90% of the world production of chrysotile is used in the manufacture of chrysotile-cement, in the form of pipes, sheets and shingles. These products are used in some sixty industrialized and developing countries.
Chrysotile-cement is valued principally for its excellent cost effectiveness and durability. Manufacture of this material requires the import of only small quantities of fiber, the other raw materials (Portland cement, water) being easily available locally. Moreover, the manufacturing technology requires little investment and consumes less energy than production methods for competing products.
According to a group of experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO - Oxford, 1989), chrysotile-cement products do not present risks of any significance to public health or the environment. Moreover, workers in this industry, whether employed in the manufacture, installation or removal of materials, are not exposed to any detectable risk when effective prevention and control measures are applied.
How is chrysotile used?
Today chrysotile is used only for the production of high-density and solid materials (slate, pipes, linings and pads, friction products). The unique feature of these products is that the chrysotile fiber is encapsulated in a matrix of cement or resin, preventing the release of fibers. Over 90% of chrysotile used worldwide today is in the manufacture of fiber-cement building and construction materials.
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Before |
Now |
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Products |
Asbestos-cement |
Chrysotile-cement |
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Fiber types |
Chrysotile |
Chrysotile |
