New York State Asbestos Investigator Practice Exam

What defines friable ACBM according to AHERA?

1. It is located in a storage room

2. It is not routinely disturbed

3. It is in an area regularly used by building occupants

4. It is always covered by plastic sheeting

The correct answer is: It is in an area regularly used by building occupants

Friable asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM) are defined by their ability to be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure. According to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), the focus is on the accessibility and potential exposure to the material. If ACBM is located in an area that is regularly used by building occupants, it means that there is a higher likelihood of these materials being disturbed, which could lead to the release of asbestos fibers into the air. Being in a commonly used area increases the risk of exposure because people are more likely to interact with or disturb these materials, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This characteristic underlines the importance of monitoring and managing such materials to protect public health. The other options pertain to characteristics that do not directly define friability under AHERA guidelines. For instance, materials located in a storage room may not involve regular disturbance, and covering materials with plastic sheeting does not influence their inherent friability. Similarly, materials that are not regularly disturbed do not present the same level of concern when considering accessibility and potential exposure.