What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber.  That is the short answer to this question.  Abestos can only be positively identified using a special type of microscope. There are several different types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.  I believe that this is the reason behind why their is asbestos in our school. "Asbestos," is the name describing the group of minerals that can be separated into thin threads, these fibers natually occur as bundles.  
Asbestos just doesn't show up, it is mined just like other minerals.  It can be found in certain types of rock formations in Australia and oversea.  It is a mineral compound of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and various metal cations.  These elements make up six different types of asbestos.
Amphiboles:

Mineral Name         Chemical Formula
Tremolite               Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2
Anthophyllite          Mg2(Mg,Fe2+)7Si8O22(OH)2
Actinolite               (Ca,Fe)2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2
Riebeckite              Na2(Mg,Fe2+)3Fe3+2Si8O22(OH)2
Grunerite               (Mg,Fe2+)7Si8O22(OH)2
Cummingtonite       (Mg,Fe2+)7Si8O22(OH)2


Serpentine:

Chrysolite                (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4

Chrysotile asbestos has curly fibers, and is in the serpentine* family of minerals.  The other types of asbestos, which all have rod-like fibers, are known as amphiboles. Serpentine and amphibloes are refering to different families of minerals in which asbestos is classified.

These asbestos fibers can be easily broken up into dust made up of particles which tend to float freely in the air.  They can be inhaled or shallowed which could lead to serious health risks.

*A family of silicate mineral rich in magnesium and water, derived from low-temperature alteration or metamorphism of the minerals in ultramafic rock. Rocks made up of serpentine minerals are called serpentinite. Serpentine minerals are light to dark green, commonly varied in hue, and greasy looking; the mineral feels slippery.
*http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/subcommittees/emr/usgsweb/photogallery/images/Asbestos%203_jpg.jpg
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1