Abstract
Leaching of three commercially used asbestos (chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite) was carried out in water at 37 °C under both static and dynamic conditions. True equilibrium was not established in the maximum time allowed (2 months). After a certain time which varied from sample to sample, metal ions were released at a steady rate. The high pH recorded in the case of leaching of chrysotile and crocidolite (10 and 9 respectively) suggested the presence of some mineral impurities, later identified as brucite in chrysotile and ankerite in crocidolite. Since most chrysotiles are contaminated with some magnesium impurities which are impossible to remove without changing the chemical nature of chrysotile itself, it is virtually impossible to study the actual leaching kinetics of pure stoichiometric and natural chrysotile.
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