subject: Friable Asbestos [print this page] Asbestos when discovered by the home manufacturing companies was known as a miracle mineral for its outstanding qualities of high strength, durability and high capacity to withstand heat making it perfect for insulation within basements and attics as well as when mixed with concrete, roofing tiles.
Asbestos of course today is banned throughout the western world due to the discovery of its highly dangerous particles when inhaled, but, tragically is used widely by governments in developing countries like India, for housing within impoverished areas.
Asbestos is largely categorized into two groups: friable asbestos or non friable asbestos
Friable asbestos is the type of asbestos that can easily break down or its tiny particles can easily become airborne and inhaled, causing long term health issues. Examples of friable asbestos will be attic or basement insulation materials and also pipe insulation.
Non friable asbestos examples are roofing and ceiling tiles that have been mixed with cement or plaster and so the fine particles are mostly contained and more unlikely than friable asbestos particles to become airborne. Although friable asbestos products are now banned, some non friable asbestos products are still allowed to be manufactured.
If your house has been built prior to 1980 it will almost certainly contain asbestos in some form or rather whether it be within its insulation or non friable products such as roofing tiles or even the backing of the electrical meter board.
However, there really isnt a reason to panic unless you can see something breaking down that needs replacing. The most dangerous asbestos is of course the friable asbestos particularly if you have this as insulation. If this is the case it is suggested that you hire some professional asbestos removal company to come and get rid of it for you so you can completely relax over any future health issues. You can remove it yourself but you will have to hire or buy protective clothing, goggles and breathing apparatus which can be expensive.
If you are going to remove it yourself, keep the friable asbestos highly watered down at all times and make sure its placed into sealed labelled bags so the people at the refuse will know what they are handling as well. Afterwards before removing your protective clothing and breathing gear, thoroughly wash down outside all tools that you used to remove the friable asbestos, especially ladders etc.
The same rules apply for replacing non friable asbestos as well.
