Friable vs. Non-Friable Asbestos — What’s the Difference?

A popular proverb states, “When you know better, you do better.” Unfortunately, homebuilders from the 1940s to the 1980s did not know better as they packed toxic friable asbestos into building materials such as insulation and the roofs of homes.

Asbestos is a silent killer with asbestos-related diseases typically manifesting 15 to 30 years after exposure. Most victims do not even notice the tiny particles in the air when they breathe them in. If you continue to breathe in asbestos fibres over time, you are putting yourself at risk for lung damage, including potentially developing:

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Thickening lung membrane
• Lung cancer

The most concerning truth about friable and non-friable asbestos is that many people don’t know the difference between them and will procrastinate in correcting the problem.

Nevertheless, Asbestos Watch Brisbane can spot them! If you suspect asbestos in your home, we offer professional inspections and thorough removals at a cost-effective price.

Non-Friable Asbestos

Australia’s ban on asbestos extends to all of its forms, including non-friable and friable asbestos. However, non-friable is the safer version—that is, until it transforms into friable asbestos. Think of it this way—as long as bonded asbestos remains untampered, it is a relatively safe product.

Asbestos is a strong, cheap, heat-resistant, and fireproof material, which is why home builders initially worked with it. You can find non-friable asbestos in:

• Cement boards
• Vinyl flooring
• Textured coatings

You cannot destroy asbestos or turn it into powder by hand pressure alone. But once it breaks by being drilled, weathered by time, or crushed with equipment, it becomes friable.

Friable Asbestos

Friable means crushed, and when asbestos gets crushed it becomes toxic—powder particles that enter your lungs and wreak havoc on your well-being. Examples of friable asbestos include

• Thermal insulation
• Sprayed coatings
• Insulation boards

Friable asbestos is so dangerous that a licensed asbestos specialist, such as Asbestos Watch Brisbane, needs to remove it as a hazardous material. To eliminate all traces of asbestos in your home, a technician must have:

• Safety certification
• Safety equipment, such as respirators, protective eyewear, disposable coveralls, rubber boots, and disposable gloves
• Strict accordance with the guidelines described in How to Safely Remove Asbestos Code of Practice 2011

Asbestos Watch Brisbane

Are you wondering when to call in the experts at Asbestos Watch Brisbane to inspect your home? We recommend testing for asbestos before moving into an older building or starting any home renovation project. That way, you are not potentially risking your family’s lives when ripping up the tile floor or drilling into the wall.

With some simple safety precautions, you will be able to enjoy fixing up your home while having zero anxiety about your air quality.

At Asbestos Watch Brisbane, we know how to handle asbestos-containing materials safely and effectively. We test in residential and commercial spaces, providing high-speed analysis and complete asbestos removal for our clients. For your convenience, we are open seven days a week.