Asbestos Fireproof Flooring
The projections are quite chilling: about three hundred thousand Americans are expected to develop life-threatening diseases, caused by exposure to asbestos, in the next twenty to thirty years. A huge percentage of people will pick up the deadly dust from exposure to building materials.
Asbestos was a wonder building product in the post world war II era. It was strong, durable, light, heat-resistant, and fireproof. It can be said with a fair amount of conviction that all floor tiles manufactured before the mid 1980’s contained asbestos.
Why Was Asbestos Flooring Used?
Besides making the manufacturing process much easier, asbestos was also extremely durable and cost-effective. Asbestos made floors abrasion resistant, flexible, and strong. Most importantly, it made the flooring resistant to fire, heat, grease, oil, moisture, and acids. Asbestos-vinyl tiles did not crack. Asbestos does not shrink or expand during or after the manufacturing process. This was a quality that benefited both the manufacturer and the user. A happy state of affairs, no doubt, for the building industry. But what about exposure?According to an industry expert, all buildings built before 1980 in Britain, may contain category 1 carcinogen. Risk managers working with a famous insurance company in the UK opine, “Any building more than 15 years old is likely to have asbestos in one or the other product. Younger buildings may have it too”.
What Dangers Are Posed by Asbestos Flooring?
A home containing asbestos flooring is like a ticking time bomb. There is no immediate risk while the floors are intact and damage-free. But, if the floor gets damaged or broken, it will immediately start releasing fibers. Renovating the floor, or changing it in any way, is extremely dangerous. Using brute force to remove these tiles may release lethal concentrations of asbestos fibers into the air.If your home or office area contains fire-resistant asbestos flooring, you need to see to it that the floor tiles are not sanded and that the tiles are not damaged in any way. These floors should be cleaned only with a wet mop. Damaged tiles should not be vacuumed.
Exposure to asbestos fibers is extremely dangerous. Longevity and concentration are two factors that decide your level of risk.
If your home or workplace is made of asbestos flooring, you may be at high risk of developing lung disorders or mesothelioma. If you suspect that you may be exposed to dangerous levels of the dust, contact us immediately.
