Which of the following is classified as an activity that can cause the deterioration of asbestos-containing materials?

Utilities with air handler vibration can indeed lead to the deterioration of asbestos-containing materials. This is because the vibration caused by air handlers can disrupt the integrity of materials containing asbestos, potentially causing them to become friable. Friable asbestos materials are those that can be easily crumbled or powdered by hand, which significantly increases the risk of asbestos fibers being released into the air. As asbestos fibers are harmful when inhaled, activities that generate vibrations or physical disturbances in areas where asbestos is present can create serious health risks.

Regular exterior painting typically does not involve disturbing asbestos materials, as long as proper safety measures are taken to avoid disturbing surfaces that may contain asbestos. Similarly, periodic building inspections are often designed to assess the condition of the structure and include procedures to minimize any risk of disturbing asbestos-containing materials. Landscaping work can involve soil disturbance and the potential for exposure if there are asbestos materials underground, but it may not specifically target the deterioration of above-ground asbestos products.