HOW TO DIFFER BETWEEN BONDED and LOOSE (friable) ASBESTOS

More than 3000 processed asbestos materials and products are known to date. There are two forms of asbestos products – friable and non-friable asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was once available in raw (friable – loose) form for ceiling insulation, under the name Mr. Fluffy Asbestos Insulation in and around the ACT and parts of NSW, Australia. However, Australia banned the use of all forms of asbestos after January 1, 2004. Still, many other countries use it in the manufacture of various products.

Non-Friable (Hard-Bonded) Asbestos

In Australia, more than 97% of the asbestos products used were non-friable materials, where the asbestos fibers were bonded by vinyl, cement, resin, or other likewise materials.

Bonded asbestos products/materials are a bit safe until they are damaged, sawed, drilled, sanded, crushed, or excessively altered. If anything like this happens, fibers are released from the non-friable hard bonded asbestos products, and they become friable.

In the first image, you will see a corrugated asbestos sheet metal roof showing indications of weathering. The second image shows a broken asbestos cement fence sheet, which allows you to see the asbestos bonding materials. To reduce the risk of additional fiber release, these asbestos materials must be made secure. In the third image, you can look at a backsplash panel with tiles over an asbestos sheet.

os products conclusively by laboratory testing after sampling.

If you suspect that building material, product, or an item is asbestos or contains asbestos, treat it as it contains asbestos until proven by laboratory testing.