The problem of asbestos from the standpoint of applied mineralogy

The problem of asbestos geoecology remains relevant. Asbestos is considered potentially dangerous, because when asbestos-containing materials are destroyed, thin elongated fibers are released and damage organs and tissues of mammals and humans. On the other hand, unique fire-resistant thermal properties of asbestos support using it in a wide range of products. Mineralogical study of asbestos ore from the Kiembayevsky deposit, depositing media (dust) and production products used in shipbuilding was carried out by optical microscopy and X-ray analysis. We determined that the methods of optical microscopy and X-ray analysis, and, if necessary, their integration, allowed obtaining reliable information about the presence of chrysotile asbestos and its content in various objects, which was necessary for solving problems not only in the geological industry, but also in other areas of the national economy. A quantitative assessment of the content of chrysotile-asbestos, amphibole-asbestos and asbestos-like respirable fibers (natural and artificial) in rocks, technogenic formations (mainly deposit media), and anthropogenic production products is presented.