California Residents Advised to Test Old Tiles for Asbestos before Starting a Flooring Project

Asbestos was used in countless materials for decades. Unfortunately, many of these materials can still be found in homes and buildings throughout California. As these materials age and become friable, or are disturbed during renovation and demolition activities, people could be exposed to asbestos fibers. Exposure to these fibers over time can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

An all too common place to find asbestos-containing materials is in old flooring. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) published “A Consumer’s Guide to Asbestos” several years ago that warns of asbestos exposure risks from vinyl floor tiles and vinyl sheet flooring. The document cautions:

Asbestos has been added to some vinyl tiles to strengthen them. It also is present in the backing of some vinyl sheet flooring and in the adhesives used to place the flooring. While the asbestos is bound into the vinyl or backing, fibers can be released if the tiles are sanded or seriously damaged, if the backing on the sheet flooring is dry-scraped or sanded, or if the tiles are severely worn or cut to fit into place.

“Testing is the only way to know for sure if a suspect material contains asbestos,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Attempts to disturb or remove these materials, without the proper safety precautions in place, could release asbestos fibers into the air, endangering anyone in the area. If a material contains asbestos, in most circumstances, there are regulations on who can handle it and how it is disposed of. There are even regulations in California for the transportation and disposal of small amounts by a homeowner.”

Protecting workers, building occupants, and homeowners from asbestos exposure hazards are the environmental, material, and industrial hygiene scientists at LA Testing. With multiple laboratories in California, LA Testing provides laboratory services, sampling supplies, test kits, and personal protective equipment (PPE). 

To learn more about asbestos or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services, sampling supplies, and products, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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