Linoleum Flooring Asbestos

Unfortunately inhaling asbestos dust can lead to several serious diseases.

Linoleum flooring asbestos.

Asbestos is a hazardous material that is present in some older linoleum flooring materials. 59 12535 out of print text and. It can cause lung cancer mesothelioma cancer of the larynx and ovaries and a health condition called asbestosis caused by fibrosis of the lungs. I am concerned because of the exposure of the presumed to contain asbestos vinyl flooring edge due to water leaks under the linoleum.

Tiles are safer to remove than the sheeting because the asbestos is held together by the vinyl which is not hazardous. As with any asbestos containing material acm the first step to finding asbestos in linoleum sheet flooring and vinyl tiles is. Vinyl asbestos flooring comes in two types tiles and sheeting. Click here to read more.

Asbestos vinyl flooring was a durable and economical material that offered many aesthetic options to suit a homeowner s taste. Water has caused the flooring to shrink and curl away from the tub edge exposing about 1 2 inch of brown fibers and mold as well. Vinyl asbestos tiles should not be sanded and the glue that holds the tiles to the floor should not be sanded either. Vinyl flooring and wallpaper that contain asbestos cannot be recognized on sight.

It is always safer to assume material manufactured before 1980 contains asbestos. The flooring is in a rental apartment which was built in the early 1960 s. Sanding sawing drilling or tearing the tiles out however can release fibers into the air. When you breathe in microscopic asbestos fibers they can get stuck in your body forever.

Asbestos floor tiles will not release toxic fibers and pose a health risk unless they are disturbed. Rosato engineering consultant newton ma reinhold publishing 1959 library of congress catalog card no. Asbestos was used in vinyl wallpaper from the 1920s and in the vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring that rose to prominence in the 1950s. Many tile contractors will not even consider the removal of the tile.

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. Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring should only be removed by a licensed abatement professional.