Natural Science Forum / Earth Science / Mineralogy / October 2004

Although wollastonite does NOT induce asbestos diseases, I take exception
to its widespread or even limited use, even in running water: its fibrous
habit, which should be easily observed even in pellets, perfectly mimics
amosite. And in present times, several people are prone to cry wolf. One
needs a trained mineralogist to determine wollastonite occurring as
isolated fibers (as well as any contentious and fibrous mineral, for that
matter).

I have seen too many hasty determinations of this silicate fiber as
"asbestos" by "asbestos experts", and I foresee several "asbestos
contamination" outbreaks downstream of the neutralization operations.

J.J.