Recent investigations on Tremolite Chlorite Schists from the Byng and Rockley Volcanics around Orange (see photo) and Dog Rocks in central NSW indicate that if pulverised (eg used as a gravel) this rock releases countable mineral fibres. These tremolite fibres have a fibrous rather than true asbestiform habit but meet aspect ratio and mineralogical rules to be counted as asbestos. The question is whether or not they have the same toxicological properties as asbestiform tremolite.
Toxicological studies are required on this material and I’m hoping to learn a little bit more about the methodology and more on current work being done with fibrous minerals by attending the European Mineralogical Union School 2017: Mineral fibres: crystal chemistry, chemical-physical properties, biological interaction and toxicity.
The school is being held at the Università di Modena e R.E. and Prof. Alessandro F. Gualtieri is the lead organiser.
For more information see: http://emu2017.unimore.it/
Tremolite Chlorite Schist from Byng Volcanics, Orange area
Marc Hendrickx and Associates Pty Ltd 
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