Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongate Mineral Particles: State of the ...

Table 1. Definitions of general mineralogical terms (Continued)
140
Glossary of Geology, 5th ed.
[American Geological
Institute 2005] Leake et al. [1997] NIOSH [1990a]
Dictionary of Mining,
Mineral, and Related
Terms [U.S. Bureau
of Mines 1996]
[Note: Footnotes identify the Primary
Source Citation for the definition]
Term
A homogeneous, naturally
occurring, inorganic crystalline
substance. Minerals have distinct
crystal structures and variation
in chemical composition, and
are given individual names.
1. A naturally occurring inorganic element
or compound having a periodically
repeating arrangement of atoms and
characteristic chemical composition,
resulting in distinctive physical properties.
Mineral 1. A naturally occurring
inorganic element or
compound having an
orderly internal structure
and characteristic
chemical composition,
crystal form, and physical
properties. CF: metallic.
2. In miner’s phraseology,
ore. See also: ore.
2. An element or chemical compound
that is crystalline and formed as a
result of geologic processes. Materials
formed by geological processes
from artificial substances are no
longer accepted (after 1995) as new
minerals (Nickel, 1995). Mercury, a
liquid, is a traditional exception to
the crystallinity rule. Water is not a
mineral (although ice is), and crystalline
biological and artificial materials
are not minerals (cf. mineraloid).
3. Any naturally formed inorganic
material, i.e., a member of the
mineral kingdom as opposed to
the plant or animal kingdom.
3. See: mineral species; mineral
series; mineral group.
4. Any natural resource
extracted from the earth
for human use; e.g., ores,
salts, coal, or petroleum.
5. In flotation, valuable
mineral constituents of ore as
opposed to gangue minerals.
6. Any inorganic plant
or animal nutrient.
7. Any member of the mineral
kingdom as opposed to the
animal and plant kingdoms. 7
See footnotes at end of table. (Continued)
NIOSH CIB 62 • Asbestos