Sounds scary, right? But what is it? Unless you have been affected by this hazardous material--or you know someone who has--it may not be something that you think about!
Asbestos is found in soil and rocks. These mineral fibers have worked well for manufactures for many reasons through the years. For instance, the fibers are flexible and resistant to heat, chemicals and electricity.
These are three commonly available types of asbestos:
Chrysotile (white asbestos),
Amosite (brown asbestos), and
Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
Asbestos is most hazardous when it is friable. The term "friable" means that the asbestos is easily crumbled by hand, releasing fibers into the air. Sprayed on asbestos insulation is highly friable. Asbestos floor tile is not.
Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, floor tiles, undamaged laboratory cabinet tops, shingles, fire doors, siding shingles, etc. will not release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or damaged in some way. If an asbestos ceiling tile is drilled or broken, for example, it may release fibers into the air. If it is left alone and not disturbed, it will not.
Damage and deterioration will increase the friability of asbestos-containing materials. Water damage, continual vibration, aging, and physical impact such as drilling, grinding, buffing, cutting, sawing, or striking can break the materials down making fiber release more likely.