Friable asbestos is a defined term, and it really makes common sense. If a material is easily pulverized, crumbled or reduced to dust, it is friable. Materials that fracture are not friable, but may represent different degrees of fiber release risk. In general, floor tile poses some of the lowest risk of fiber release. When the tile was manufactured, asbestos fiber was mixed in to the liquid slurry, then the tile was formed. As a result, the fiber is not only contained in the matrix, it is also coated. This makes any fiber released by breaking relatively heavy and large. The means it is generally not respirable. By using wet methods during removal, dust risk and exposure is further mitigated.
As materials become more brittle (think asbestos cement), there is a higher degree of risk for dust release. So non-friable material can be considered to have degrees of risk. This is reflected in the current regulations which classify non-friable as class I and class II. I would not hesitate to remove vinyl or asphalt asbestos tile. I would use greater precautions and personal protective measures if removing asbestos cement containing chrysotile fiber; and finally, I would only recommend a professional deal with friable insulation or acoustical materials, and especially those materials containing more hazardous amphibole (amosite or crocidolite) asbestos fiber. |
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