although there are several dozen different trade names for asbestos substitutes, there are only about five significant different product groups that comprise the entire range of substitute textiles available. those seeking to replace asbestos must be careful in selecting a substitute, and must set their own standards of acceptance for each particular application. dependent upon the application some of the substitutes provide better performance than asbestos; some are marginal, some should not even be considered. the selected material must be hygienically correct and provide the safety characteristics needed for the particular process where the material is to be used. without a major test and evaluation program, it is difficult to establish the exact equivalents of the substitutes however, the different products can be easily grouped within their own generic classifications. the weave construction, surface treatments, and coatings of the substitute materials within a product group may differ, but the substrates are generally similar, and often perform about the same in a given application. test data, certifications, sample material, and application assistance is available from most of the suppliers, who can help guide the safety and health professional in the evaluation process