Asbestos Floor Tiles Risk

Even if the vinyl flooring is pulled up intact the old adhesive underneath may also contain asbestos.

Asbestos floor tiles risk. Removing it is often not an option since the adhesive and dust are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of by a hazardous waste team. How to remove asbestos tiles safely. Sanding sawing drilling or tearing the tiles out however can release fibers into the air. Many tile contractors will not even consider the removal of the tile.

Asbestos is actually a silicate based material that used to be commonly used in building construction for surfaces as common as walls or floor tiles. If the material is in good condition it normally does not pose a threat because the asbestos is enclosed in vinyl preventing the fibers from escaping. If an asbestos ceiling tile is drilled or broken for example it may release fibers into the air. Rah because your floor is most likely an asphalt asbestos floor tile and you describe it as breaking up and crumbling it is potentially hazardous.

Asbestos floor tiles will not release toxic fibers and pose a health risk unless they are disturbed. Asbestos floor tile is not. Armstrong was by no means the only company producing asbestos containing floor tiles though the company may have been the largest producer. If you break the flooring into pieces while removing it you have effectively turned it into a friable material.

If you decide to remove nonfriable vinyl asbestos flooring you have to be cautious for two reasons. Examine the condition of the tiles. The risk for many people who live or work in buildings with old flooring is that it s hard to know if the building has asbestos floor tiles just by looking. Unfortunately vinyl tiles and sheet flooring that contain asbestos pose a potential exposure risk.

Asbestos in vinyl products becomes dangerous when microscopic fibers of the mineral are released and become airborne. Will not release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or damaged in some way. Asbestos containing ceiling tiles floor tiles undamaged laboratory cabinet tops shingles fire doors siding shingles etc. Cover old asbestos tile with new tile or a floating floor.

To know for certain you d need to have a sample of the floor tested for asbestos find labs using the asbestos test lab list given at the more reading section of this article. Old asbestos tiles can make a home appear dated. Intact asbestos tiles are not a major risk and can in fact be left in place and covered with other materials such as carpet vinyl linoleum or concrete. If the flooring is being demolished sanded buffed with steel wool floor polishers or subject to heavy traffic it might be a source of unacceptable asbestos particle release.

It is always safest to leave asbestos flooring removal to asbestos abatement professionals.