A material that, when dry, cannot be crumbled by hand pressure and contains more than 1.0% asbestos as determined by polarization microscopy is classified as which category?

• A. Category II nonfriable asbestos-containing material (ACM)
• B. Category I nonfriable ACM
• C. Friable ACM
• D. Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how asbestos-containing materials are classified by friability and the category of nonfriable ACM. A material that cannot be crumbled by hand pressure when dry is nonfriable. If its asbestos content is greater than 1% by weight (as determined by polarization microscopy), it qualifies as asbestos-containing material (ACM). Among nonfriable ACM, Category II includes materials that, while not friable under normal handling, may release fibers if they are disturbed—such as by cutting, grinding, or abrading. Because this material is nonfriable and meets the >1% asbestos criterion, it is classified as nonfriable ACM in Category II. Category I nonfriable ACM generally refers to materials that are nonfriable and unlikely to release fibers under normal handling, which is not the case here when considering potential disturbance.