Careful Handling Of Non-Friable Asbestos Vinyl Floor Tile And Adhesive Mastic

by Kirsten Hawkins

Asbestos tiles are non-friable, but improper removal helps to separate and form corners and break into pieces. Non-friable asbestos tiles and adhesive mastic should be removed using procedures like wet methods and breaking the adhesive bonds by flooding, heating, and using dry ice. In wet method, the removal personnel dissolve the Mastic with a suitable solvent. Thereafter they use a HEPA filter equipped vacuuming device to remove and pick up the resulting slurry.

Breaking Adhesive Bonds of Tiles:

Adhesive bonds help in holding asbestos tiles to the Floors. Flooding floor tile with warm water for a day or two helps easier separation of tiles with a wide blade tool. Electric infrared heater, weed burner, a propane or blowtorch helps scoop up and flip over the tiles for removal. Spreading dry ice with insulating covers around on the floor also breaks the adhesive bonds. Some people also use Suitable indoor solvents for this purpose.

Asbestos Health Concerns

Stephen Kreutzer

Asbestos was once used widely in commercial and residential building projects. It is a strong substance that is even stronger than steel. It also is unaffected by heat, chemicals and does not conduct electricity. This all combined made asbestos a great building material. However, throughout the years many health problems have been associated with asbestos. Health problems first showed up in people that worked closely with asbestos, but it was soon realized that even those who did not work closely with it, but were exposed to it may also suffer health problems.

There are a few different types of asbestos. Chrysotile, called white asbestos is the most common form of asbestos used in the United States. Amosite or brown asbestos is made from light gray or brown fibers. Crocidolite or blue asbestos is made of blue fibers. Chrysotile, Amosite and Crocidolite are forms of asbestos that were most commonly used to make products. Such products include building materials, sewage piping, roofing, siding, electrical wire casing, tiles, paints and other construction materials. Asbestos was also used in automobiles for clutch and brake parts. In industrial settings asbestos was used for filters in beverage machines, flooring and cigarette filters. Asbestos was used on a great level for a variety of products thus making the discovery of its health risks important for everyone.

Asbestos is dangerous when breathed in. It is very hard to determine if asbestos is present in the air as it does not cause immediate problems like coughing or itchiness. Symptoms may not appear for 10 to 40 years after being exposed. Diseases caused by asbestos are hard to treat and most often impossible to cure. Asbestosis is one common asbestos related disease. It causes an inflammation in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare asbestos disease that is a cancer of the outside lining of the lungs and abdomen. Asbestos has also been associated with other forms of lung cancer. Asbestos related diseases are very painful.

Asbestos is no longer used due to the health concerns surrounding it. Asbestos is most dangerous when a product made from it is bothered and the dust is released into the air. The only way to safely handle and detect asbestos is through a professional trained to work with asbestos.

About the author:

Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides asbestos information on Asbestos Facts!

Disposing Asbestos Tiles and Mastic:

According to Asbestos Control Program, the removed asbestos tiles should be kept in wet condition to reduce possibility of exposure of asbestos fibers. Removal personnel should seal the container with duct tape and place appropriate asbestos label. Moreover, they should consult the Landfill operator for adequate disposal of asbestos containing material.

Hazards of Asbestos Exposure - Asbestosis and Mesothelioma

Damaged asbestos floor tile forms dust-like particles that float into air that can be inhaled by workers and people staying in nearby areas. Once inhaled, the asbestos particles settle inside the respiratory tract and lungs causing cancer of esophagus, digestive tract, larynx, colon, kidney, stomach, and lung fibrosis known as "Asbestosis," and the infamous cancers of lining of lung and abdomen lining called "Mesothelioma."

Precautions For Asbestos Tile Removal:

The person undertaking asbestos tile removal should wear disposable complete body covering. They should dispose the clothing with the asbestos waste. Wearing a disposable dust mask respirator with HEPA filters cartridges, and taking bath is needed as a precaution against contamination while removing asbestos tiles. Wet cleaning can be employed for walls and surfaces of the room.
About the Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

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