Asbestos Floor Tile – What’s The Big Deal?

Asbestos Floor Tile – What’s The Big Deal?

 

What’s the big deal with asbestos floor tile?  Well there are some very serious health problems that can occur as a result of asbestos that you should fully understand in order to protect yourself and family members.  If your house was built between the 1950s and the 1980s, asbestos floor tile may of been the best option for your home.  Today, we know that this type of tile can cause a host of health problems when it starts to break down and is inhaled into our bodies.

Asbestos floor tile is of course made from asbestos with is a fibrous mineral that is fire resistant and have good strength and flexibility.  It can be easily used in the manufacturing process which made it an idea substance to use.  Of course when it was being used heavily in the production process no one was aware of how hazardous this material could be.  Workers soon began to develop lung related illnesses which prompted studies on asbestos.  These studies later proved just how much of a hazard asbestos was to our bodies causing such diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Because of asbestos fire retardant properties it was widely used in insulation.  In fact, most people think of asbestos in the home as being isolated to insulation for furnaces.  It was widely used for that purpose of course but that is just one of it’s many uses.  In the home you may find asbestos material not only in duct and furnace insulation but in various gaskets, roofing, siding, ceilings and walls and of course asbestos floor tile.  Remember that old ironing board cover that you could put a hot iron on without burning.  There’s a good chance that it had asbestos woven into the fabric.

This article is not meant to caused panic or to scare you into thinking that you need to immediately remove all asbestos containing material from your home.  In fact, most asbestos containing material caused no threat if they remain intake.  The problem is when asbestos floor tile and other asbestos containing material start to break down.  When the material is damaged the microscopic fibers are released into the air where they are easily inhaled into the lungs.  Once there they can caused a host of health problems including mesothelioma.  We often here of safe levels when being exposed to different toxins.  With asbestos there are none.  Inhaling these fibers should be avoided at all cost period.

If you are the do it yourself type you maybe thinking of attempting the project of removing asbestos floor tile and other asbestos containing material from your home.  You will be well advised not to try it.  Not only can you caused great harm to yourself if you’re not extremely cautious and know what you’re doing, but you can also put your family in harms way.  As mentioned earlier, asbestos fibers are microscopic and once released into the air they are easily inhaled into the lungs.  In fact, in most states it’s illegal for you to remove asbestos floor tile unless you are a fully trained and licensed asbestos abatement professional.  There are kits available for you to take a sample of the material you suspect of containing asbestos and then sending it off to a lab to have analyzed, but that is a far as you should go yourself.  It’s just not worth the possible health risk.

Asbestos floor tile doesn’t posed any harm as long as it remains undamaged.  It’s when these tiles become broken and brittle that they released their asbestos fibers into the air.  Some do it your-selfers have placed new flooring over asbestos floor tile to save the time and money in having it removed.  This isn’t a safe practice. Remember that we are talking about microscopic fibers here that can’t be easily seen with the naked eye.  If the asbestos floor tile is damaged in the process of laying over a new floor your health is at risk.  Asbestos floor tile in the home is a big deal; especially if it’s damaged.  Do yourself a favor and contact a licensed asbestos abatement professional for proper advice on keeping you and your family safe.