Illinois Real Estate Practice Exam 2025 - Free Real Estate Practice Questions and Study Guide

Asbestos is considered a friable material, meaning that it can easily crumble and release fibers into the air when disturbed. This characteristic is particularly concerning because inhaling these fibers can lead to serious health issues, including lung cancer and asbestosis. In buildings, friable asbestos can be found in insulation, floor tiles, and other construction materials.

The other substances mentioned, while they can all pose health risks, do not exhibit the friable characteristic. Lead, for example, can be found in paint or plumbing, but it does not easily break into fine particles like asbestos does. Mold can grow in various environments, especially with moisture, but it does not have a friable quality in the same way that asbestos does. Radon is a gas and does not have a physical form that can be friable.

Understanding the nature of environmental hazards is crucial for real estate professionals, especially in terms of property management and safety regulations. Knowledge about friable materials, particularly asbestos, allows for appropriate actions to be taken to manage the risk to occupants and ensure compliance with health and safety standards.