What is the difference between non-friable and friable asbestos?

The distinction between non-friable and friable asbestos is critical for understanding how asbestos can pose health risks. Non-friable asbestos is defined as asbestos material that cannot be easily crumbled by hand pressure. This characteristic means that when intact, non-friable asbestos poses a lower risk of becoming airborne because it is solidly bound in a material that provides structural integrity, such as cement or tile.

On the other hand, friable asbestos can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. This property indicates that friable asbestos is far more likely to release harmful asbestos fibers into the air, where they can be inhaled, posing significant health risks including serious diseases such as asbestosis and lung cancer.

It’s essential for those involved in asbestos abatement to recognize this difference. Non-friable asbestos, while still requiring proper handling and disposal, usually involves protocols that differ from those for friable asbestos, which necessitates stricter controls and procedures due to its higher potential for creating airborne fibers. Therefore, the correct answer is rooted in how each type of asbestos interacts with physical force and its potential health implications.