Exposed Asbestos Floor Tiles

Asbestos vinyl floor tiles asbestos in vinyl products becomes dangerous when microscopic fibers of the mineral are released and become airborne.

Exposed asbestos 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. Armstrong produced the excelon tile series beginning with a plastic asbestos floor tile series in 1954 referring to the product as vinyl plastic asbestos floor tiles beginning in 1955 and vinyl asbestos tiles from 1957 to 1980. Asbestos is so common that everyone has been around it at some point. Resilient sheet flooring containing asbestos was also produced finding wide use as early as 1968.

That way no one will be endangered years from now when they start to rip up the new flooring and find asbestos tiles beneath. In addition to the tiles themselves a layer of mastic a type of adhesive below the tiles is also likely to contain asbestos. As you can see this method is not an exact science. The only state in which asbestos is truly safe is when it is not exposed to an activity that may abrade it such as sanding it or even walking on it over time.

You could also cover the tiles with new vinyl flooring linoleum or even ceramic tiles. Vinyl tiles with asbestos. Asbestos in floor tiles in floor tiles asbestos is used primarily for its insulation properties and its ability to resist fire. Vinyl is a type of plastic that has long been a popular material for floor tiles and sheets.

Tiles that are disintegrating should be handled with extreme care. Asbestos floor tiles will not release toxic fibers and pose a health risk unless they are disturbed. If the tiles or the floor beneath show oily discoloration the tiles very likely contain asbestos. Sanding sawing drilling or tearing the tiles out however can release fibers into the air.

Asphalt is a main ingredient in asbestos tiles and the oil from the asphalt can leach out. This article summarizes the probable risk of asbestos exposure from asbestos containing floor tiles or sheet flooring as depending on the condition covering and location of the floor. It s in the air water and soil. Old vinyl products that contain asbestos remain in many buildings across the u s creating a hazard for contractors and do it yourself renovators.

Asbestos is most dangerous in its friable state in which tiny light fibers float through the air and can easily be spread or ingested or aspirated by humans. But when you re exposed at such low levels it s unlikely to make you sick.