Fibrous Balangeroite Mineral Specimen
Close-up image of the non-regulated mineral balangeroite, showing partial seam of orange-brown fibrous bundles on matrix. Example specimen as shown approx. 12-cm.; from Balangero Mine, Piedmont, Italy.
Related to asbestos minerals in several aspects, such as asbestiform crystalline habit, occurs with chrysotile, compared toxicologically with crocidolite, but has distinct, different chemical composition and nomenclature. For optical identification purposes, balangeroite also exhibits a distinct refractive index and is pleochroic, similar to crocidolite, but unlike chrysotile or other regulated asbestos minerals. Should this asbestiform mineral technically be classified as one of the "regulated" asbestos minerals?
Fibrous Balangeroite Mineral Specimen
Close-up image of the non-regulated mineral balangeroite, showing partial seam of orange-brown fibrous bundles on matrix. Example specimen as shown approx. 12-cm.; from Balangero Mine, Piedmont, Italy.
Related to asbestos minerals in several aspects, such as asbestiform crystalline habit, occurs with chrysotile, compared toxicologically with crocidolite, but has distinct, different chemical composition and nomenclature. For optical identification purposes, balangeroite also exhibits a distinct refractive index and is pleochroic, similar to crocidolite, but unlike chrysotile or other regulated asbestos minerals. Should this asbestiform mineral technically be classified as one of the "regulated" asbestos minerals?