It was developed in cooperation with the California Environmental Protection Agency . Photo by Max Flanery, California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology .
Asbestos is a term used for several naturally occurring fibrous minerals.
While most serpentine rocks contain asbestos, not all do. Serpentine is abundant in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Klamath Mountains, and Coast Ranges. In March 1999, a task force comprised of local, state and federal agencies recommended that DMG develop a series of maps showing areas where naturally occurring asbestos is most likely to be found in various parts of California. Educate local citizens and governmental agencies about asbestos occurrence and appropriate use of the map and report. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by state, federal, and international health agencies.