Asbestos confirmed in floor tile
#1
06-10-10, 06:07 PM
Asbestos confirmed in floor tile
Is cracked, residential floor tile containing asbestos a health concern?
My 300 sq. ft. den/family room was flooded 4 days ago. 6 blower fans and a dehumidifier have been placed in room.
Carpet and pad was removed, 1/2 yesterday, 1/2 today.
9" x 9" tile below carpet was tested, today's results - 20% asbestos.
Some tiles are cracked, friable. Some missing. Majority of tiles punctured by staples from carpet pad.
Should I shut off the blowers and dehumidifier? Or, seal the room to prevent asbestos from spreading to adjacent rooms?
If asbestos is airborne from the blowers can the den's remaining contents (books, bookcase, couch, coffee table, desk, stereo equipment, DVD's, CD's) be cleaned? Or, will it have to be destroyed?
My 300 sq. ft. den/family room was flooded 4 days ago. 6 blower fans and a dehumidifier have been placed in room.
Carpet and pad was removed, 1/2 yesterday, 1/2 today.
9" x 9" tile below carpet was tested, today's results - 20% asbestos.
Some tiles are cracked, friable. Some missing. Majority of tiles punctured by staples from carpet pad.
Should I shut off the blowers and dehumidifier? Or, seal the room to prevent asbestos from spreading to adjacent rooms?
If asbestos is airborne from the blowers can the den's remaining contents (books, bookcase, couch, coffee table, desk, stereo equipment, DVD's, CD's) be cleaned? Or, will it have to be destroyed?
#2
06-10-10, 06:50 PM
Update
I just spoke with a industrial hygeinist who said the air blowers are not a problem.
The only time to worry about asbestos fibers in floor tile/black mastic is if it is sanded, grinded or pulverized.
If the asbestos tile cracks in half it is not a problem.
Analogy is concrete dust: You don't want to breath the dust from cutting or grinding the concrete. Breaking a piece of concrete does not release enough dust to be problematic.
I just spoke with a industrial hygeinist who said the air blowers are not a problem.
The only time to worry about asbestos fibers in floor tile/black mastic is if it is sanded, grinded or pulverized.
If the asbestos tile cracks in half it is not a problem.
Analogy is concrete dust: You don't want to breath the dust from cutting or grinding the concrete. Breaking a piece of concrete does not release enough dust to be problematic.
