talcum, steatite

You own soapstone or products in which you suspect soapstone? Be careful when handling this material because it may contain asbestos fibers depending on how it is stored. Working soapstone releases dust that can cause severe lung disease if inhaled. Talc, which is used in baby powder or cosmetic products, can also contain asbestos. Talc, in turn, is the main ingredient in soapstone.

If you cannot rule out asbestos contamination, you should always order an asbestos test before performing any work such as filing, sawing, sanding or the like.

CRB reliably tests soapstone (steatite) and talc for asbestos on your behalf. Simply send in a sample and have quick assurance as to whether your material contains asbestos.

Frequently asked questions about asbestos in soapstone

Where are talc and soapstone used?

On the one hand, soapstone is used as a mineral filler in plastics and in medical and cosmetic products. But soapstone can also be found in the artistic field. For example, the very soft natural stone was often worked in schools in art classes until the 2016 ban. In addition, the minerals can also be found as an additive in food and feed. Soapstone is also used in stove construction, e.g. for lining fireplaces.

What types of asbestos are found in talc or soapstone?

The asbestos species anthophyllite, tremolite or chrysotile can be found in talc or soapstone.

What is the asbestos content of talc and soapstone?

Some traces of asbestos up to several percent of the pollutant can often be found in talc and soapstone.

How can I tell if soapstone contains asbestos?

Asbestos fibers in soapstone cannot be detected with the naked eye. Even in soapstone labeled "asbestos-free," asbestos fibers could sometimes be detected. For this reason, for example, the use of soapstone was banned in German schools.

The only way to reliably detect asbestos fibers in soapstone is therefore to commission a professional asbestos test. To do so, simply send a dust sample to our experienced testing laboratory. Within three to four working days you will receive a court-proof analysis report on the asbestos content of your sample.

What are the dangers of asbestos in soapstone?

Asbestos in bound form is not dangerous. A health hazard exists as soon as asbestos dust is released - that is, when work is carried out on the stone or other damage occurs.

If asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs, which can lead to asbestosis (asbestosis lung). This can also cause fatal diseases such as pleural cancer or lung cancer decades later.

How do I dispose of soapstone containing asbestos?

If you do not plan to work on the stone, soapstone or talc is not harmful to health because no dust is released. For example, if you have exhibits made of soapstone, there is no reason to dispose of the material.

Refrain from processing such as grinding, sawing, filing or drilling. This is because there is then a risk of asbestos fiber release.

If the material is damaged, you can play it safe and dispose of it. Unlike, for example, the disposal of asbestos-containing tile adhesive, eternit or sealing material, you can dispose of asbestos-containing talc or soapstone yourself.

To do this, the materials should be rinsed wet and packed in an airtight container. Once you have ensured that no dust particles can escape to the outside, the mineral can be disposed of normally in the residual waste.

Identification of asbestos in talcum, steatite by means of SEM images and energy-dispersive element-spectra