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Asbestos in floor tile?

12 years ago

My laundry room has12x12 vinyl floor tile and I am really worried that they may have asbestos in them. They were self adhesive onto cement and many are missing and a few are damaged. They seem to pop up easily and do not have the black stuff under them. I have young children and I am worried to have them but can't afford to have an abatement crew come in. The house was built in late 60s but I have no idea when the tiles were installed. Does anyone know if these are likely to contain asbestos?

Comments (8)

  • 12 years ago

    Highly unlikely. Pop 'em up and throw them out.

  • 12 years ago

    Certain styles of tile were more likely to contain aesbestos. The adhesive may also contain it. Find a testing service that can tell you for sure. The test shouldn't be expensive.

  • 12 years ago

    They are peel and stick vinyl. If you want to test them for peace of mind, then do it, but they are recent vinyl tile.

  • 12 years ago

    Thanks so much glennfc. You have made me feel much better about the tiles. I just have one more concern now that I have been reading more about asbestos. We have a stucco ceiling in my living room and I have just now read that it may contain asbestos. It has been painted so hopefully that is keeping it in. Does anyone know the chances that a stucco ceiling from the late 60s would have asbestos? My husband drilled in a fire alarm and a light fixture years ago. Do you think that that exposure could have harmed us? My son would have been about 2 at the time. Im sure he would have wiped up anything obvious but it may have got into the air?

  • 12 years ago

    If it is what is called 'popcorn' ceiling from that era, then yes it probably contains the fiber. Even if the product contains the fiber, you have a better chance winning The Powerball Lottery, than developing a disease from casual exposure to the fiber. Repeated occupational exposure combined with tobacco smoking is typically what leads to disease development. Your family has nothing to worry about in my opinion. Paint does a great job of encapsulation.

  • 12 years ago

    "My husband drilled in a fire alarm and a light fixture years ago. Do you think that that exposure could have harmed us?"

    No.

    It's a health hazard if you are employed for years mining it, spraying it as insulation, or removing it from multiple buildings. And if you are a heavy smoker it's worse.

    The casual exposure you get from living in and doing minor stuff to an old house is extremely unlikely to do anything. I've rehabbed several houses of the lead paint / asbestos insulation vintage and I'm still typing and breathing.

  • 12 years ago

    Agree with the above. We are exposed to all this stuff daily and naturally. You can not get away from it. It is just one that has become regulated. Others are as bad or worse. All construction dust is hazardous.

    Be aware but it doesn't sound like you have been terribly exposed.

    It is not expensive to send to a lab to test. Send all layers of the different materials.

  • 12 years ago

    Here's a thought to freak out lots of folks; there is a background level of naturally occuring asbestos fibers in every cubic litre of air on the planet, so yes...snookums2 is right on the money by saying "We are exposed to this stuff daily and naturally."