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Risk guide

Asbestos is only dangerous when it goes airborne.

The material in your walls is not a hazard until it is broken, crumbled or sanded and its fibers get into the air you breathe. Here is how to tell the difference between "leave it" and "stop and test."

Non-friable · usually stable

Locked in

Fibers are bound inside a hard material and stay put while it is intact and in good condition.

  • Vinyl and asphalt floor tile
  • Cement siding and roofing shingles
  • Intact plaster and hard coatings
Friable · releases easily

Crumbles by hand

Material that can be crumbled or powdered with hand pressure sheds fibers easily and is the highest-concern type.

  • Pipe and boiler wrap
  • Sprayed or troweled insulation
  • Crumbling textured coatings

The disturbance scale

IntactSealed, undamaged, undisturbed. Often best left alone and monitored.
Wear & ageCracking, water damage or deterioration raises the concern.
DisturbedDrilling, cutting, scraping or sanding releases fibers.
DemolishedBreaking it up, or crushing it in a tear-out, is the worst case.
TRIGGER 01
RemodelingTearing out flooring, ceilings, walls or siding on an older building.
TRIGGER 02
Water & age damageMaterial that is crumbling, flaking or soaked after a leak or flood.
TRIGGER 03
DIY repairsSanding, scraping or drilling a suspect surface to "just fix one spot."

Not sure which side yours is on?

A licensed inspector can tell you before you start work.

Test before you touch it

Risk questions

Is asbestos dangerous if it is left alone?

Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing material in good condition generally releases few fibers and is often best left alone and monitored. The risk rises when material is damaged, deteriorating or disturbed.

What is friable asbestos?

Friable material can be crumbled or powdered by hand pressure, so it releases fibers easily. Examples include some pipe wrap, sprayed insulation and crumbling textured coatings.

Is non-friable asbestos safe?

Products like vinyl floor tile and cement siding hold fibers tightly while intact, but sanding, breaking, grinding or drilling them can make them release fibers.

How much asbestos exposure is too much?

No safe level of exposure has been identified. The goal is to avoid breathing any, especially repeated or heavy exposure.

What asbestos is →What not to do →Before demolition →