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3101530 
Technical Report 
Selected silicate minerals and their asbestiform varieties: Mineralogical definitions and identification-characterization 
U.S Bureau of Mines :: U.S. Bureau of Mines 
1977 
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines 
Washington, DC 
BuMines IC 8751 
66 
English 
Mineralogical definitions and identification/characterization concepts for selected silicates and their asbestiform varieties are presented. Definitions are provided for mineral terms, asbestos related terms, crystal terms, and terms for breaking of minerals by cleavage, fracture, and parting. Mineral identification and characterization guidelines address both macroscopic sampling and microscopic sampling. Attention is given to the application of morphological terminology, identifying and comparing particles from known asbestiform and non asbestiform serpentine (12168922) and amphibole (1332214) sources, the mineralogical significance of aspect ratios in characterization, and characterizing samples from unknown sources. Three illustrative examples of the application of identification procedures are discussed: chrysotile (12001295) determination in ambient air samples collected near a serpentine rock quarry; identification of asbestiform minerals in ceilings and walls of public buildings; and characterization of a mineral product, talc (14807966). Improvements in electron optical instruments are recommended, and it is suggested that ion microprobe mass spectrographs and laser Raman microprobes be evaluated for particulate characterization. The authors stress the need for well characterized asbestiform and non asbestiform mineral samples for health studies. 
PB271914 
Information Circular (United States. Bureau of Mines), no. 8751