Which of the following describes friable asbestos?

Friable asbestos is defined as material that can be easily crumbled or reduced to a powder by hand pressure. This characteristic is crucial because friable asbestos poses a greater risk to health. When disturbed, friable asbestos can release airborne fibers, which can be inhaled, leading to serious health issues such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

The other options do not accurately capture the nature of friable asbestos. For example, touching friable asbestos without protection is unsafe due to the risk of fiber release. It is also important to note that while some types of asbestos can be found in various building materials, friable asbestos is not specifically associated with certain locations like exterior walls. Lastly, the claim that it only poses a risk when burned overlooks the chronic hazards associated with any disturbance of friable material, regardless of combustion. Thus, option B is the only statement that correctly describes friable asbestos.