Floor Tile Asbestos Exposure

Many homes schools and other buildings built before the 1970s have materials such as pipes and floor tiles.

Floor tile asbestos exposure.

Sbestos was once considered a miracle material used in everything from paint and pipe insulation to even tiling. That means it is safe to walk on but not safe to scrape sand or use power tools on. However once considerable testing proved that it was a killer the miracle became a nightmare to deal with and remove. But when vinyl asbestos flooring is in good condition it is considered nonfriable.

The properties of asbestos made it an ideal material for use in a number of products including insulation material for buildings boilers and pipes. Armstrong s seneca white image it is likely that this is an asbestos containing floor tile. Testing found 3 chrysotile asbestos in this floor tile sample. If an asbestos ceiling tile is drilled or broken for example it may release fibers into the air.

In the united states federal law requires employers in industries that work with asbestos products such as construction to take special safety measures. Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring poses a significantly greater asbestos exposure risk than floor tiles or wallpaper. Asbestos floor tile identification photos 1949 1959. The definitive way to find out if tiles contain asbestos is to have them tested.

Car brakes and floor tiles insulating board. Asbestos has also been used in a wide range of manufactured goods mostly in building materials roofing shingles ceiling and floor tiles paper products and asbestos cement products friction products automobile clutch brake and transmission parts heat resistant fabrics packaging gaskets and coatings. You can either engage an asbestos remediation expert or obtain a test kit for. When these mineral fibers are released into the air and breathed in over long periods of time they can cause lung disease.

Vinyl sheet flooring comes in large pieces and is usually cut to the size of the room and laid down in one piece. Identifying asbestos floor tiles. When vinyl asbestos flooring is crumbling or damaged it is considered friable. In this case it needs to be removed very carefully to avoid asbestos exposure.

See armstrong floor tile list 1969. Manufacturers often made this type of flooring with a friable asbestos backing which means mineral fibers are easily. Reducing exposure to asbestos is the best prevention against asbestosis. At above left is a 12 x 12 vinyl asbestos floor tile found in a home built in 1969.

Asbestos floor tile is not. Asbestos containing ceiling tiles floor tiles undamaged laboratory cabinet tops shingles fire doors siding shingles etc.