What is classified as "friable" asbestos?

Friable asbestos is defined as asbestos material that can be easily crumbled or pulverized by hand pressure. This characteristic makes it particularly hazardous because friable asbestos can release fibers into the air when disturbed, leading to potential inhalation and exposure risks.

When asbestos is friable, it indicates that the material lacks a strong binding agent, which allows it to break down more easily. This is a crucial aspect to understand for safety and regulatory compliance, as the management of friable asbestos involves more stringent guidelines and precautions than that of non-friable asbestos, which is more stable and generally does not release fibers unless damaged in some way.

In contrast, other classifications do not share this property: tightly bonded asbestos would be considered non-friable as it does not crumble easily; non-visible asbestos might refer to materials that contain asbestos but are not discernible to the eye, and asbestos that contains binders tends to be more stable and less hazardous in terms of fiber release.