Asbestos Floor Tiles

Since the discovery of the deadly effects asbestos has on health, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has created regulations to control the management, removal and disposal of asbestos material. One of the materials containing asbestos is vinyl floor tile. To handle them safely it is important to ensure that the material is in non-friable state. If the material is friable, the asbestos fibers can be freed when smashed. Generally, asbestos floor tile is regarded as non-friable if it is not damaged. Asbestos disposal is a serious issue. Failure to properly dispose of
asbestos can lead to mesothelioma - an insidious, and usually fatal, form
of cancer.

When removing asbestos floor tiles, some problems might arise that can be potentially hazardous. Some of the difficulties that you will have to tackle are breathing through respirator which demands a greater effort from the heart and lungs. The vision is reduced because of the use of safety glasses. The removal of asbestos floor tiles must be carried out in complete pieces in order to be regarded as non-friable. It vital that in the process of abatement the tiles are not sawed, drilled or reduced to dust. Before commencing the work, it is important to isolate other materials with a plastic cover to avoid the fibers to move. Place a different sheet of plastic in the area where the tiles are to be kept. The material that is being removed should be wetted with a hose or any other tool to prevent them from becoming airborne. The tiles removed should be kept as intact pieces. The tiles should be put in leak proof containers such as plastic bags and the sign " DANGER ASBESTOS-CONTAING MATERIALS" must be placed on the container. Failure to take asbestos disposal seriously can lead to exposure to asbestos. And exposure to asbestos is now known to be the leading, or exclusive, cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos Disposal What is Asbestos? Asbestos Definitions Asbestos Floor Tiles