Table Of Contents
Definitions Of Friable
There are two different definitions of friable. Some refer to it as "brittle," while others refer to it as "crumbly." Friability is a quality that describes how easily something can be broken or crumbled. It is measured by testing how much force is required to break a material.
Many materials are friable, including food items like cookies and crackers and non-edible things like sand and clay. The term "friable" is also used in the medical dictionary to describe tumours that are easy to break up and remove. Friable materials are often used in products that need to be easily crumbled or broken, such as those meant to be spreadable or mouldable.
Materials that are too friable may be difficult or dangerous to handle. The friability of a material can be affected by its composition, structure, and manufacturing process. It can also be changed by heat treatment or surface coating. Asbestos is one example of a friable material. Friable asbestos materials are naturally occurring minerals used in various industrial and commercial applications.
While it is well known for its heat-resistant and fireproofing properties, asbestos can also be hazardous if inhaled or ingested. Asbestos fibres are invisible and tiny to the naked eye, making them easy to inhale. Once inhaled, the fibres can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Friable And Non-Friable Asbestos Comparison
The two main categories of asbestos are friable and non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos is much more dangerous because you can easily break it down into small pieces or fibres that can be inhaled. Non-friable asbestos is more stable and less likely to release fibres into the air.
Friable asbestos is often used in insulation, soundproofing, and fireproofing materials. You can also find it in pipe coverings, floor tiles, shingles, and other building materials. On the other hand, non-friable asbestos is most commonly used in cement, brake pads, and clutch facings.
Here are the critical differences between friable and non-friable asbestos:
Composition
Friable asbestos constitutes loosely-packed fibres that you can easily crumble by human hand. On the other hand, non-friable asbestos is bound together by a strong matrix, making it more difficult to break apart.
Health risks
Exposure to friable asbestos fibres is more dangerous because you can easily inhale them into the lungs. Once in the lungs, these fibres can cause health problems like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Non-friable asbestos, on the other hand, poses less harm.
Regulation
Because of the health risks associated with friable asbestos, it is heavily regulated in many countries compared to non-friable asbestos.
Uses
Friable asbestos was once used in various products, including insulation and fireproofing materials. However, because of the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos fibres, its use has been dramatically reduced in recent years. Non-friable asbestos is used in making cement sheeting, roof shingles, and profiled sheets.
Location
Friable asbestos is often found in older homes and buildings, while non-friable asbestos is common in newer homes.
Removal
Friable asbestos removal can be a dangerous and challenging task that trained professionals should only perform. Non-friable asbestos, on the other hand, can usually be removed without too much difficulty.
Costs
Removing friable asbestos is usually much more expensive than removing non-friable asbestos because of the special training and equipment required. You can often remove non-friable asbestos with little cost.
Types Of Friable Asbestos
Friable asbestos can easily be crumbled or pulverised into a fine powder. This makes it more dangerous than other types of asbestos because it can be inhaled into the lungs and cause serious health problems. There are five different types of friable asbestos, each with its dangers and potential health risks.
Chrysotile asbestos
This is the most common type of friable asbestos, accounting for about 95% of all asbestos used globally. It is found in many construction materials, including insulation, flooring, shingles, and siding. Chrysotile asbestos has flexible fibres, which in most cases come in the form of fabric.
Other products that contain chrysotile asbestos include asphalt, brake pads, brake lining, clutches, cement, gaskets, disk pads, rubber, and plastic. However, this type of asbestos accounts for diseases such as mesothelioma.
Amosite asbestos
This type of friable asbestos is found in insulation, pipe, and fireproofing materials. It is characterised by its needle-like, sharp, and brittle fibres. It makes up 5% of asbestos and is also very common in buildings. Products containing amosite asbestos include chemical insulation, cement, fire protection, insulation boards, gaskets, electrical insulation, tiles, thermal insulation, and roofing.
Crocidolite asbestos
Crocidolite asbestos is another dangerous type of friable asbestos, also referred to as blue asbestos. It is also claimed to be the most hazardous of the amphibole family and is rarely used for commercial purposes. Its sharp fibres can easily get into your lungs, resulting in serious health problems. Products containing crocidolite asbestos include insulation materials, cement, and tiles.
Tremolite asbestos
Tremolite asbestos is found in many construction materials, including insulation, cement, and vermiculite. It also features heat-resistant properties and can be used in the form of fabric. Tremolite asbestos comes in a variety of colours. These include dark green and milky white, which occur in minerals such as vermiculite and talc.
However, it can cause asbestos diseases and cancers when inhaled or ingested. Products containing tremolite asbestos include sealants, plumbing materials, insulations, paints, and roofing.
Anthophyllite asbestos
Anthophyllite asbestos is also found in insulation materials, vermiculite, and talc. It is considered less dangerous than other types of friable asbestos because it is not as easily inhaled into the lungs. However, anthophyllite asbestos can still cause serious health problems if inhaled.
Actinolite asbestos
Actinolite is dark-coloured asbestos with sharp and needle-like fibres. It constitutes a mineral such as magnesium, silicon, iron, and calcium. Actinolite fibres are very sharp and can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing severe health problems. Products containing actinolite asbestos include drywall, sealants, insulation materials, cement, and paints.
Get Rid Of Asbestos
Friable asbestos is found in various construction and building materials, but when inhaled by humans, it can be life-threatening. It is vital to have friable asbestos professionally removed as attempting to do it yourself could be very dangerous. Contact a licensed asbestos remover to help you eliminate harmful asbestos waste.
David
