Asbestos

Health written question – answered at on 5 March 2002.

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Photo of Owen Paterson Owen Paterson Conservative, North Shropshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if white asbestos, or chrysotile, is chemically distinguishable from talcum powder.

Photo of Alan Whitehead Alan Whitehead Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Transport, Local Government and Regions)

holding answer 1 March 2002

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White asbestos is chemically similar to talc, but it is the fibrous nature of asbestos, not its chemical composition, that makes it a risk to human health. Talc is not fibrous.

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