There is a great deal of myth and misunderstanding regarding asbestos one that seems to perpetuate (and is even perpetuated on the site masona provides a link to) is the relative risks posed by Blue, Brown and White asbestos (or more properly crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile (and not chrysolite as stated on the aforementioned website, chrysolite is a mineral, but it is not asbestos).
In the dim and distant past when we began to realise that asbestos was causing health problems one of the chaps that was asked to investigate and report to the govenment was a Professor Peto. The laws that were subsequently enacted to ensure safety were largely based on his recommendations. Peto is still actively researching into the causes and effects of asbestos on health and is probably the worlds leading authority on the subject.
The diseases that were thought to be caused by asbestos back then were primarilly lung cancer and asbestosis, and a greater degree of exposure was thought to increase the risk of developing these diseases. Hence all of the guidance was aimed at reducing the exposure of those thought to be at greatest risk, those who worked with asbestos. Peto anticipated a drop in the number of deaths as a result of those new laws. At that time chrysotile was thought to be less risky becuase the fibres are curly (where the others a straight) and were thought to be less easy to inhale into the lungs.
However, about 10 years ago Peto published a new and frankly shocking study which demonstrated that a disease called mesothlioma (which is thought to be caused only by asbestos) had become the most prolific cancer in men in Britain. Not only that, but the people most likely to develop it were construction workers. Furthermore Peto concluded that the degree of exposure was of little relevance, what was significant was the time that had elapsed since exposure took place. In short it takes only one fibre to cause mesothelioma a cancer for which there is no cure and which is invariably fatal. However, it takes a period of about 20 years or so for the disease to develop and the risk is as great for all types of asbestos. Because of this report the new CAWR Regulations were brought into force and are aimed at reducing the number of construction workers who are inadertantly suffer occasional low levels of exposure.
However, chrysotile was predominantly used in products like thermoplastic floor tiles or asbestos cement. Because the fibres are bound into these products the chances of fibres being released are less than for friable materials like insulation.
So, in a nutshell blue, brown and white asbestos are all equally dangerous and the risks vary only with the type of material containing the asbestos and its condition.
Don't take my word for it. Do a search for Professor Sir Richard Peto and you will no doubt find out everything you ever wanted to know about asbestos and its health risks.