Asbestos-containing materials can be either friable or non-friable.
Friable asbestos is high risk. Friable asbestos can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure.
Non-friable asbestos is lower risk. It is mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials.
Non-friable asbestos can become friable if damaged or old.
Examples of common friable asbestos products include:
Examples of common non-friable asbestos products include:
You can’t confirm asbestos by sight or smell. Use a licensed asbestos assessor, who will test the sample to confirm asbestos.