Can asbestos rub off on clothes?

Answer 1

I will elaborate here, as I'm not sure how to add anymore detail to my question. Recently I lent on a piece of material on a wall. My clothes were then covered in a white chalky dusty substance. I've heard the building I was in used to contain asbestos, and the property managers were prosecuted for mishandling the substance. Was is just plaster that rubbed off on me? Or is it possible for asbestos to become disturbed that easily? I've heard it's only dangerous when sawed into and fibres released into the air, but I've not heard of it rubbing off by being lent against before. Thanks for any answers!

Answer 2

Whether asbestos can rub off on clothes, or skin, depends on the form in which the asbestos is encountered.
Some commercial products, like asbestos containing vinyl floor tile or asbestos cement securely bind the asbestos in the product. Asbestos fibers cannot be released from those products simply by leaning against them or rubbing them. It would take sawing, cutting or sanding, or similar energetic activity to have any hope of releasing asbestos fibers from such materials.
On the other hand there are friable asbestos containing materials. Friable means able to be crushed into powder with simple hand pressure. These are products like blown-on fire proofing insulation, certain types of pipe and boiler insulation, etc. If they are not adequately protected (canvas covering in good condition can be adequate in some situations, in others metal sheeting or enclosure in wall board is preferred) then you might get some asbestos fiber on you if you rubbed or leaned against it.
And there are also intermediate materials like acoustical plaster which will not crumble to hand pressure, but if you hit it or cut it you can start it crumbling.
But it is important to know that asbestos is hazardous only if it is breathed in (or perhaps swallowed), and that one or two lungfuls is unlikely to increase your risk noticeably. All of us in the technological western world have some asbestos exposure already. And getting it on you skin is not a guarantee of breathing it in. Get it, on wash it off.
Of course, not everything you might get on your skin is going to be asbestos fiber, unless you are in an asbestos mine or mill. Much of what you see will be binder and other components.
Now, if you have white stuff on you skin or clothing, there is no way to look at it and know whether it is asbestos or not. The material it came from must be examined under a microscope to determine that. A building owner in most parts of the developed world, and certainly in the US and Canada, should know just which building materials are, or are presumed to be, asbestos, and should have a way for you to find out. But you have to ask.