A type of blue asbestos mineral that is fibrous and crystalline, historically used in insulation and textiles but now recognized as highly toxic.
From Greek krokis (nap of cloth) plus lith (stone), referring to its thread-like appearance. The term was coined in the 19th century as mineralogists classified asbestos varieties.
Crocidolite was called 'blue asbestos' and was used everywhere from ship insulation to brake pads—it's so carcinogenic that countries have spent billions removing it from buildings, making it one of science's biggest safety discoveries.
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