What is Friable Asbestos?

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM's) are broadly divided into two categories :

1. Friable Asbestos

2. Non Friable Asbestos.

We will discuss here about the friable asbestos.Friable asbestos are those which upon crushing or even by applying small force by hand can be turned into powder form.This means that Firable asbestos can be easily crumbled or pulverized.

Few Example of Friable Asbestos are : sprayed fireproofing on structural steelwork,acoustical plaster, paper products, pipe coverings, rollboard, spackle or patching compounds or thermal insulation on pipes.

<img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6088/6109154170_dbcf498eb0_m.jpg" alt="Friable Asbestos" />

The above picture shows Friable Asbestos Roofing.

Upon crushing Friable asbestos releases asbestos fibers in air which are dangerous and risks to the health of living beings nearby.Inhalation of friable asbestos fibers can poses serious health issues and may result in cancer.

So it is better to keep yourself and kids away from friable asbestos as anyone may accidentally crush them thus releasing fibers.

Though asbestos was banned in many countries in the early 80s but still Asbestos containing materials are used in homes.These materials have Non friable asbestos generally but they also includes Friable asbestos.Non Friable asbestos can also change into Friable due to exposure to elongated heat and pressure.

If you're one who have decided for asbestos abatement in your house then prepare yourself to face all the risks and dangers in doing so.Don't try to remove Friable Asbestos by yourself.

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