27/08/2020
Did you know that 'asbestos' is not a mineral species, but rather a term that refers to six different minerals. The feature that groups them together is that they are all fibrous. ⠀
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This asbestos form or habit refers to a condition where the mineral forms as thin and fibrous crystals, with microscopic fibrils that can easily be broken off and released into the air. It is because of this nature that asbestos minerals can cause chronic and fatal diseases for humans if inhaled. ⠀
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Two of the major conditions caused by inhalation of asbestos are asbestosis and mesothelioma. ⠀
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Asbestosis is a condition where the lung tissues are scarred due to the asbestos fibres causing inflammation. Our lungs need to be soft and pliable for us to breathe efficiently, so any scarring means that breathing becomes more difficult. ⠀
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Mesothelioma is a more serious condition, and the most fatal of all asbestos diseases. This condition is where cancer of the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue covering organs) develops. The fibrous nature of asbestos causes minerals lodge in the mesothelium, and then results in damage and causing tumours over time.⠀
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It can take decades from exposure to asbestos until diseases develop, and for many years, people worked without any protection, unaware of what might happen.⠀
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This “Blue” Asbestos from our mineral collection is a variety of the mineral riebeckite called crocidolite, one of the most hazardous forms of asbestos. In the photo you can see the fine blue fibres characteristic of this species. ⠀
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Blue Asbestos was mined from South Africa, Bolivia, and Australia. In particular, the mine at Wittenoom in Western Australia was one of Australia’s main Blue Asbestos mines. ⠀
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After Australia banned the use of Blue Asbestos in 1967, in recognition of the extreme health risks, the mine finally shut down. The town was declared a contaminated site by the state government, and in 2007, the town was officially degazetted. Effectively, it is no longer a town. ⠀
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Midnight Oil’s song, “Blue Sky Mine” is apparently inspired by the ex-town of Wittenoom, seeing the transition from a thriving mining town to essentially a ghost town.⠀
