With all the recent news reports about asbestos found in mulch products spread around schools, parks and public gardens in Sydney, the terms ‘friable’ and ‘bonded’ are often used. What do they mean, and is one form safer than the other?
According to Safe Work Australia, friable asbestos is easily crushed into a powder, and as such has a higher risk of airborne fibres being released when it is handled.
For this reason, it is extremely dangerous and can only legally be handled by a licensed removalist.
Non-friable, or ‘bonded’ asbestos is mixed with cement or resin to keep the fibres in place, so while it is less immediately dangerous, it nevertheless poses a risk of releasing airborne fibres when it is damaged.
The Bernie Banton Foundation warns that non-friable (bonded) asbestos has the potential to become equally as dangerous as friable asbestos, adding that ‘a distinction should never be made because of the type, colour or form of asbestos – all types, colours and forms of asbestos have the potential to kill people!’ Image: berniebanton.com.au
