Due to its durability and inexpensiveness, asbestos was also found in the flooring of homes and businesses. In fact, asbestos was a component of both the actual flooring covering, as well as the adhesives used to secure various products. Although regular washing, waxing or buffing of these floors will not generally allow asbestos particles to escape, significant wear, damage or renovation can disturb these particles to the point that they become a danger. Renovation practices that are especially prone to causing asbestos exposure include scraping or sanding these materials.  

Asphalt Floor Tiles

Asphalt asbestos floor tiles saw popularity in the United States from 1920 into the 1960s. Originally, these floor tiles were produced in very dark colors with a high percentage of asbestos fiber content. In fact, depending on the particular brand and mixture, these tiles might contain as much as 70% asbestos by weight. This fiber was held together by a heavy asphalt binder.

Flooring Mastics

Various tile, coving and carpet mastics were once manufactured with the use of asbestos fibers. In addition to their presence under various types of flooring, these putty-like pastes also served as adhesives and sealants in ceilings, roofing, windows and walls. Many of these mastics manufactured before the 1980s may still be present in homes and offices. However, due to their age and level of deterioration, these materials may have crumbled to a dangerous state where asbestos fiber release is possible. In addition, unprotected, forceful flooring renovation that involves scraping or sanding may further damage these mastic sources or allow previously-deteriorated deposits to escape.

Vapor Barriers

In addition to being found under flooring materials, vapor barriers may be installed in basements, ceilings, crawl spaces and walls. Part of a home’s moisture control strategy, these products were once manufactured from asbestos fibers due to the material’s strength, ability to resist moisture and corrosion and inexpensiveness. Without these products, moisture may be able to penetrate these spaces and cause inner deterioration.  However, today we realize the risk of asbestos exposure due to the presence of older varieties of this material outweigh all possible moisture damage risks.         

Vinyl Floor Tiles

Vinyl asbestos floor tiles were popular in the United States from the 1940s until the 1970s. In fact, some manufacturers produced these asbestos-containing vinyl tiles into the 1980s. Unlike early asphalt asbestos floor tiles, these vinyl pieces can be found in a number of decorative colors and patterns. In fact, new decorative styles were often introduced by manufacturers on a yearly basis, underscoring their popularity. Manufacturers of these vinyl asbestos flooring tiles included Sears & Roebuck, Montgomery Wards and Armstrong.  Although these tiles came in a variety of thicknesses, most examples came in either a 9”x9” or 12”x12” size.

Vinyl Sheet Flooring (Linoleum)

A common flooring option still seen today, before 1978, many forms of vinyl sheet flooring contained asbestos fibers on the floor backing as a strengthening material. This product is more commonly known as linoleum.  Like flooring tiles containing asbestos, if this material is forcefully removed through scraping, sanding or peeling, the asbestos backing can be disturbed to the point that asbestos fibers are released into the surrounding air, posing a significant exposure risk. Furthermore, this less durable flooring option may wear deteriorate through normal use and aging, exposing the asbestos backing and allowing the fibers to disperse into homes and businesses. During renovation or the removal of these products, it is important to disturb possible asbestos backing on linoleum products as little as possible to lessen the chances of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Flooring Product Risks

Although some of these flooring products pose a threat through normal wear and tear, especially in high traffic areas, these asbestos-containing materials pose the greatest risk during renovation or demolition. The violent disturbance of these asbestos materials most fully puts individuals at risk for exposure to airborne particles.

When sent airborne, these light fibers can suspend in an environment for long periods, causing a respiratory and ingestion risk for anyone present. When these particles enter an individual, the body cannot rid itself of them due to their size and structure. When trapped in the lung area, these particles can lead to the development of lung cancer or asbestosis, a severe respiratory disorder. In addition, these asbestos fibers can also lead to a condition known as mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, another form of cancer, develops in the protective tissue surrounding organs. Unlike other cancers, mesothelioma develops slowly, exhibiting a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Furthermore, when the disease finally does appear, its symptoms generally mimic other illnesses, leading to the late diagnosis and treatment that provides such a poor prognosis for patients.