Home Floor Tile Remodeling Projects May Expose People to Asbestos

When it comes to home remodeling projects or first tasks to accomplish in a recently purchased fixer upper, one of the most common items on the list is often removing old floor tiles.  This project is often tackled by homeowners with a do-it-yourself mindset.  Unfortunately, many people who take on this task may be exposing themselves to asbestos fibers.
 
Asbestos was used in many building materials up until a ban was imposed in the late 1970s.  Unfortunately, asbestos is still commonly found in older homes, in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and in floor tiles. 
 
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos is a concern with floor tiles.  The agency lists, as one of the locations that asbestos can be found, “Resilient Floor Tiles (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and adhesives used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal.
 
Elevated levels of airborne asbestos can occur after asbestos-containing floor tiles are disturbed by cutting, sanding or remodeling activities. Improper attempts to remove these tiles can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, increasing asbestos levels and endangering people’s health.
 
“In addition to asbestos dangers that may result from remodeling old tile floors, people should be aware that heat, water, and simple aging of floor tiles that contain asbestos can also lead to asbestos fibers becoming airborne,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, a leading asbestos testing laboratory. “Fortunately, EMSL offers testing services that have never been quicker and easier.  This should be done on any suspect materials before beginning any home renovation projects in an older home,” he continued.
 
EMSL has sponsored an educational video about asbestos dangers in the home.  It can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCpQYuK8ge8
 
People wishing to have their sample tested by EMSL should visit www.AsbestosTestingLab.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior VP of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com