However, scraping, smashing, or sawing may release asbestos fibers that resemble thin and long fibrous grayish and whitish crystals that crumble into dust when crushed. If left undisturbed, they are generally safe. In fact, since asbestos-containing products can disintegrate easily and release asbestos fibers in the air, it’s not advisable to handle anything that contains asbestos if you are not trained to do so.Īsbestos tiles fall under non-friable asbestos materials. Individuals trained to detect and handle asbestos can identify asbestos tiles with ease. A sample of the tile must be taken for testing in a lab. Unless the tiles are clearly marked/labeled, the presence of asbestos can only be established through a lab test. What’s more, the fibers don’t have a distinct smell.
Asbestos tile how to#
How to identify asbestos tilesĪsbestos fibers are microscopic, making them incredibly difficult to see. However, many homes and buildings (both commercial and public) constructed before the 1980s still contain old asbestos floor tiles. Today, asbestos ties and related products have been phased out in many jurisdictions. The surge in mesothelioma lawsuits, among other asbestos-linked diseases forced many companies to close down. When asbestos-related cancers and lung diseases began hitting factory workers and tradesmen who had worked with or handled asbestos products, the popularity of asbestos floor tiles and other asbestos products plummeted. The “true cost” of these products wasn’t experienced until the ’80s and ’90s, given the long latency associated with diseases linked to asbestos. The popularity of asbestos flooring, among other asbestos products, lasted for decades. Change in popularity of asbestos products Asbestos-containing materials like floor tiles became popular for their fire-resistance and aesthetic appeal. The flooring tiles became popular in the mid-1900s for many reasons ranging from the glossy sheen to other properties like affordability, stylishness as well as stain and fire resistance.ĭuring the 20th century, many vinyl manufacturers used asbestos alongside other materials to create products with greater strength and insulation. While asbestos has been in use in floor tiles since the early 1900s, the use rose to prominence in the 50s. The use and history of asbestos floor tiles: What to do if you encounter asbestos floor tiles.What makes asbestos floor tiles dangerous?.Change in popularity of asbestos products.The use and history of asbestos floor tiles.Learn everything you need to know about Asbestos Floor Tiles in this in-depth Haztrainer blog post. Asbestos Floor Tiles – Must Know Safety Information and Handling TipsĪsbestos floor tiles can be identified and handled in a safe way.
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