Define friable asbestos material.

• A. Material that cannot be crumbled even when hammered.
• B. Material that, when dry, can be easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
• C. Material that releases dust only when heated.
• D. Material that is always nonfriable.

Answer: (B)

Friable asbestos material is material that, when it is dry, can be easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. This means fibers can become airborne with only gentle handling, which is why friable materials pose a higher exposure risk and require stricter controls during removal or disturbance. The dryness is key—moisture can reduce crumbling, and options that describe hardness, dust only when heated, or that never crumble do not describe friable material.