What Is the Difference Between Friable and Non-Friable Asbestos?

Asbestos can be categorized into two types based on how easily it can break down: friable and non-friable.

Asbestos Removal in Atlatna
  • Friable asbestos refers to materials that can easily be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. This makes it more dangerous because it releases asbestos fibers into the air, where they can be inhaled and pose serious health risks.
  • Non-friable asbestos, on the other hand, is more tightly bound within materials and does not easily break apart. As long as it remains intact, it is less likely to release fibers into the air and is considered less hazardous.

However, non-friable asbestos can become friable if it is damaged or deteriorates over time. This categorization is important for determining the risk and method of asbestos removal.

“The potential for an asbestos-containing product to release breathable fibers depends largely on its degree of friability.”

The chart below shows the main differences between friable and non-friable asbestos.

FRIABLE ASBESTOSNON-FRIABLE ASBESTOS
Can be crumbled by hand, releasing fibers into the airSturdier and cannot be crushed by hand
Very dangerous to anyone nearbyPresents less of a risk to those nearby
Found in products including damaged asbestos cement, fireproofing, and spray-on ceiling treatmentsFound in products including asphalt waterproof coating, cement sheets, and pipes
Non-friable asbestos can become friable over time or when damaged.

If you suspect that your home contains asbestos, contact ES AMERICA, a trusted professional asbestos removal company in Georgia, at (706) 661-0487. Do not attempt to remove or dispose of the asbestos yourself, as this could put you and your family at serious risk of exposure.

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ES was amazing! Highly recommended. I called in a panic about a wall we had to remove and they came the next day and had results the following morning. The inspector that came was professional, kind, and super informed. Don't hesitate. Call them!

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Liz Matos Sastre

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I highly recommend ES-America's services. Knowing very little about asbestos, I researched widely and called many companies. Sarah and Elias by far surpassed their competition. For me, ES out-shined others with their commitment and excitement about their chosen expertise (all about asbestos). On our first call, Sarah answered my questions quickly and thoroughly, which prompted deeper questions that I had not asked other companies (because the reps seemed lacking in knowledge or interest). With other companies, I felt the need to continue searching. With Sarah, I hired ES after the first call. Elias came the next day and was just as enthusiastic and competent. He worked quickly and then expertly taped over and cleaned up the test areas. The test results arrived within hours - and thankfully were all negative. Last note: their pricing seems competitive.

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l sab

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I am very pleased with the work performed by Environmental Services Of America. Elias came out to look at a job, talked to me through it until I understood the entire process. They showed up on the schedule day and worked till the job was done. Elias sent pictures of the progress every day and when I got back to the house it was perfectly clean, they could not have done a better job.

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Billy Broom

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