All but chrysotile are classified as amphiboles, which tend to have a thin, needle-like appearance. Chrysotile breaks into curly fibers. Asbestos deposits are located in many parts of California and are commonly associated with serpentine. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by State, Federal, and International agencies. Asbestos was identified as a Toxic Air Contaminant in 1986 by the Air Resources Board.
Asbestos fibers can cause health problems if inhaled.
When asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled deep into the lung. The fibers can cause chronic local inflammation and disrupt orderly cell division, both of which can facilitate the development of asbestosis and cancer. Thus, inhalation of asbestos fibers can initiate a chain of events resulting in cancer or other asbestos-related illness, which may not become apparent for years, even long after the exposure has ended. Most of the information on health effects comes from studies of workers exposed regularly to high levels of asbestos. In occupational settings all forms of asbestos have been shown to cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.