"Friable" refers to materials—most importantly asbestos—that can be easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. When asbestos is in a friable state, it releases fibers or particles into the air, which can then be inhaled or ingested, posing significant health risks, such as lung diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma.
In the context of real estate and building materials, nonfriable typically refers to materials, specifically asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), that are in good condition and do not easily crumble to release fibers when handled.
