| Homeowners with acoustic asbestos ceiling | | | | exposure occurs when asbestos is inhaled, the |
| question about the effects of asbestos contained | | | | best way to prevent exposure is to prevent |
| within its materials that if inhaled would cause | | | | asbestos fibers from becoming airborne.Asbestos |
| serious health hazards.If material contains more | | | | containing materials are therefore divided into two |
| than 1% of asbestos, EPA defines as it's | | | | categories: friable and non-friable. Friable means |
| containing. However, asbestos can only be | | | | that a material is able to be reduced to powder |
| positively identified by microscope. Many of the | | | | by hand pressure. Asbestos containing materials |
| homes built prior to 1980s observe acoustic | | | | that are friable, by their nature, have a much |
| asbestos ceilings, and the removal of acoustic | | | | greater tendency to release fibers. They require |
| asbestos ceiling has become commonly done for | | | | specific control measures to prevent releasing |
| environmental safety precautions.Many homes | | | | fibers into the air. Conversely, non-friable asbestos |
| contain acoustic asbestos ceiling in their bedrooms, | | | | containing materials, by their nature, do not want |
| living rooms, with spray-applied textures. | | | | to give up their fibers into the air. This class of |
| However, asbestos materials are also in pipe | | | | materials must be mechanically impacted (power |
| insulation, shingles, floor tile, mastics, roofing, | | | | tools such as sanders, drills, chippers, saws, etc.) |
| structural steel fireproofing, etc.University of | | | | to release fibers. Asbestos containing textured |
| Arizona Dept. of Risk Management and Safety | | | | ceiling materials is a friable material."Is Asbestos |
| explains the hazards of asbestos in the following | | | | Ceiling Removal Hazardous?Although breathing of |
| manner."Asbestos is a respiratory hazard and | | | | asbestos fibers post threats to human health, |
| espiratory/gastrointestinal carcinogen. Exposure to | | | | unless air contamination occurs to cause releasing |
| asbestos occurs when reparable fibers are | | | | of asbestos airborne and becomes friable, it would |
| released into the air and then inhaled. Since | | | | not affect environment. |