Asbestos content & hazards in floor tile mastic, roof sealant, cutback adhesives, mastics.

Do or did asphalt cut-back adhesives used in flooring applications contain asbestos Demolition or remodeling advice for old tile floors or for roofing flashings, sealants & mastics.

What are the hazards of demolishing or working on floors or roofs where asphalt-based asbestos-containing mastics, cutback adhesives, or sealants were used? Page top photo of black mastic floor tile adhesive provided courtesy of reader G.M.

Notice: asbestos-containing mastic adhesive left undisturbed, particulary indoors and not exposed to weather and where it is located between other materials, is not normally friable nor even exposed, and so it would not normally be considered an asbestos hazard.

When Did Cutback Adhesives, Tile Mastics, or Roofing Flashing Sealants & Mastics Contain Asbestos & What are the Hazards?

Mastic Adhesive Used with Floor Tiles

As we introduced at FLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS, the earliest use of asphalt-based flooring reported by Rosato was as a troweled-on mastic applied as a deck covering for ships in the U.S. Navy in 1917.

Asbestos in mastic adhesives such as are used for tile or sheet flooring installation or for gluing laminate countertops or shower/tub surrounds was permitted to be made in the U.S. up to August 1996 and to be sold up to August 1997. Other countries permitted asbestos in adhesives on a different schedule that we'll report below.

History of flooring adhesives

Older nine-inch "thicker" vinyl or asphalt-based floor tiles, many more recent 12-inch floor tiles (1960 - 1980), and some more recent sheet linoleum as well as the mastic used to bed or glue down older flooring materials are likely to contain asbestos fibers and should not be disturbed by grinding, sanding, or demolition without taking the appropriate precautions.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Rosato described use asphalt-containing mastics and flooring materials including both troweled-on mastic floor coverings (first used on ships) and also a felt underlayment to produce flooring materials:

Another application of asbestos with vinyl tile involves the use of asphalt saturated asbestos felt applied under 1/8 inch thick tile. This felt underlay provides for smoother finished flooring. [18][23]

It is possible that this development is what led to continuous-sheet asbestos-felt-underlayment backed sheet flooring. But we point out that continuous sheet flooring and asphalt tile flooring has an older history.

The original resilient floor covering, linoleum, was used as a floor decking on British naval ships. Asphalt tile was first made as a mastic type of floor covering.

The mastic was troweled on as a deck covering over wood. The original mixes included asphaltic binders, with fillers of asbestos; mixing was done on a rubber mill. [18][23]

Asbestos content in other flooring is described

at FLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS.

We discuss the inspection, diagnosis, and repair of various flooring products

at FLOOR TYPES & DEFECTS.

Our photo illustrates the typical parallel striped or curved patterns of tan floor tile mastic adhesive found on the back of some floor tiles or on the floor surface from which such tiles have lifted.

This adhesive, probably a tan latex-based mastic floor tile glue found on the back of a 12x12" floor tile installed in a U.S. home dated from 1971 should be treated as presumed to contain asbestos.

Watch out: grinding, tile-saw cutting, sanding or similar activities performed on asphalt asbestos, vinyl asbestos, flooring underlayment, or subflooring coated with asphalt-asbestos mastics or cutback adhesive could produce fine dust and debris that should be controlled and treated as a respiratory hazard, asbestos-containing or not.

See ASBESTOS REMOVAL, WETTING GUIDELINES.

Watch out: Leaving asbestos-suspect flooring in place, even if you need to level the floor before it is covered with new material, is not only less costly than a professional asbestos abatement project, it also is likely to be the course with the lowest risk of asbestos dust or fiber release and contamination in the building.

According to the US EPA {discussing asbestos abatement in schools] :

... In addition, abatement activities may create more of a hazard than would normally exist if the ACM were simply protected and maintained in good condition as is the case for ceramic floor tiles. ...[3]

Similar sources indicate that simple deconstruction of a building with appropriately careful disassembly of its parts may not require asbestos abatement. [4]

Special thank-you to reader A.H. who suggested clarification about the risk that ceramic wall tiles or ceramic floor tiles might contain asbestos. - Ed.

Roofing mastics and sealant coatings are discussed

at ROOF SEALANTS & MASTICS.

Asbestos Ban Dates for Mastic Adhesive Products

Notes to the table above

1. These dates do NOT mean that every mastic adhesive product sold in these countries contained asbestos,
   
   nor is it an absolute assurance that someone didn't buy the asbestos-containing mastic adhesive when it was still sold and then used it to adhere flooring or laminate countertops or similar products after the legal or official "last use" date.
   
   See ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS
   
   and see details
   
   at COUNTRIES THAT BAN OR REGULATE THE USE OR PRODUCTION OF ASBESTOS
2. NSW Government, "When was asbestos banned in Australia" - Government of New South Wales, Australia, Tel: 1800 272 378 Email: info@epa.nsw.gov.au - retrieved 2023/11/30, original source: www.asbestos.nsw.gov.au/safety/safety-in-the-home/when-was-asbestos-banned-in-australia#:~:text=Australia phased out the use, before201990 still contain asbestos.
   
   See details at ASBESTOS PRODUCTS in AUSTRALIA
3. See CANADA ASBESTOS REGULATIONS
4. See ASBESTOS FLOORING in New Zealand
5. See details at U.K. ASBESTOS REGULATIONS and also
   
   Silverdell, HISTORY OF ASBESTOS IN THE UK - THE STORY SO FAR ..., Silverdell PLC, 14 Buckingham St., London WC2N 6DF TelP 0207 389 6906, email: info@silverdell.plc.uk website: www.silverdell.plc.uk. Web search 3/4/12, original source: issuu.com/silverdell_plc/docs/silverdell_history_of_asbestos_article

 

Research: Hazard Level of Asbestos in Floor Tile Adhesives & Mastics

OPINION: from the research below it would appear that that the hazard of airborne asbestos from floor tile mastic adhesives is generally low, even during abatement, with a few exceptions by some authors.

• Crossman Jr, Robert N., M. Glenn Williams Jr, Jerry Lauderdale, Kathy Schosek, and Ronald F. Dodson. "Quantification of fiber releases for various floor tile removal methods." Applied occupational and environmental hygiene 11, no. 9 (1996): 1113-1124.
  Abstract:
  The risk of human exposure from asbestos-containing material is directly related to the condition of the material, custodial/maintenance activities, and the methods used to reduce the potential exposure to workers, bystander employees, and occupants of the area containing the asbestos.
  
  Many consider floor tile to be nonfriable, which is in accordance with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants regulations, although there is some documentation of fiber releases from deterioration of such asbestos-containing materials during polishing, removal, or routine walking, due to the friction generated by such activities.
  
  This study evaluates several commonly used procedures for removal of floor tile and quantifies the fibers released during those procedures using data obtained by analyses from phase contrast microscopy and analytical transmission electron microscopy.
  
  These data document that fibers are released when floor tile is broken and/or abraded during removal procedures.
  
  Fiber levels vary with the aggressiveness of the procedures. A considerable percentage of the asbestos fibers identified by the analytical transmission electron microscopy methods specified in the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act are below the size that can be detected by phase contrast microscopy and which are also the most easily respired due to their physical characteristics.
• HSE-UK, "Where can you find asbestos? Floor tiles, textiles, composites", Health and Executive Safety, web search 3/8/12 original source: hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/floortiles.htm Quoting:
  
  HSE is the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness. We are an independent regulator and act in the public interest to reduce work-related death and serious injury across Great Britain’s workplaces.
• Kelly, J. Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 91-118-2213, Cocalico School District, Denver, Pennsylvania. No. PB-92-217918/XAB; HETA-91-118-2213. National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States), 1992.
  Abstract:
  In response to a request from the Cocalico School District (SIC-1542) of Denver, Pennsylvania, an evaluation was undertaken of a solvent odor in the Adamstown Elementary School building. A solvent primarily composed of terpenes had been used to remove floor tile mastic during the removal of asbestos tiles from the school rooms.
  
  Staff and students had experienced eye and throat irritation, nausea, and headaches. Efforts had been made to reduce the odor, and students had been relocated to another building. Twelve area air samples were collected to measure the concentrations of volatile organic compounds in various locations of the building.
  
  All concentrations were significantly below required limits. The source appeared to be from products used in construction and renovation projects.
  
  The author concludes that the concentrations of individual volatile organic compounds at the time of the survey did not represent a health hazard.
  
  The total volatile organic compound concentration could cause symptoms of eye, nose and throat irritation. The author recommends measures to prevent elevated levels of volatile organic compounds after renovations.
• Lange, John H. "Asbestos-containing floor tile and mastic abatement: is there enough exposure to cause asbestos-related disease?." Indoor and Built Environment 14, no. 1 (2005): 83-88.
  Abstract:
  
  Chrysotile asbestos has been reported as a constituent of both floor tiles and mastic.
  
  In consequence, asbestos-containing floor tiles and mastic have been identified by regulatory agencies as hazardous materials. The reason for this categorisation is the suggested potential for these materials to cause asbestos-related diseases and as a result special handling has been prescribed. However, studies have reported that little airborne asbestos exposure occurs during abatement of these materials.
  
  Evaluation of exposure levels in comparison with levels with the potential of disease causation suggests that there is little likelihood of workers handling or removing these materials developing an asbestos-related disease.
  
  When the maximum exposure level of 0.02f·ml−1 (0.8f·ml−1 year) found during studies is considered over a 40-year period and evaluated with epidemiological data, the risk of mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer may be estimated to that reported for background levels. From a practical point of view this represents zero risk.
  
  Study results suggest that floor tile and mastic are not likely responsible agents for asbestos disease in either abatement or other workers associated with these products.
• Lange, John H. "Impact of asbestos concentrations in floor tiles on exposure during removal." International Journal of Environmental Health Research 12, no. 4 (2002): 293-300.
• Lange, John H. "Airborne asbestos concentrations during abatement of floor tile and mastic: evaluation of two different containment systems and discussion of regulatory issues." Indoor and Built Environment 10, no. 3-4 (2001): 193-199.
• Lange, J. H., and K. W. Thomulka. AIR SAMPLING DURING ASBESTOS ABATEMENT OF FLOOR TILE AND MASTIC [PDF] Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 64, no. 4 (2000): 497-501.
  Abstract:
  
  During asbestos abatement of floor tile and mastic in a three-story building in Pennsylvania in 1997, air samples were collected and analyzed. Both area and personal samples were compared. For both types of measurements, the highest non-time-weighted-average values were found to correspond to the largest time-weighted-average concentrations.
  
  All measurements, however, were below the OSHA permissible exposure limit.
  
  The sample data indicated that area and personal samples were not related, such that area samples could not be used in place of personal measurements.
• Lange, John H., and Kenneth W. Thomulka. "An evaluation of personal airborne asbestos exposure measurements during abatement of dry wall and floor tile/mastic." International Journal of Environmental Health Research 10, no. 1 (2000): 5-19.
  Abstract:
  This investigation provides information on exposure to workers during asbestos abatement of dry wall and floor tile/mastic. Personal airborne exposure concentrations were collected during an asbestos abatement project involving dry wall material and floor tile/mastic.
  
  Twenty-five dry wall and twenty-three floor tile/ mastic personal air samples were collected during abatement. Exposure concentrations for dry wall and floor tile/mastic abatement were 0.85 f cm−3-TWA (time-weighted average) and 0.04 f cm−3-TWA for arithmetic means and 0.72 f cm−3-TWA and 0.03 f cm−3-TWA for geometric means, respectively. One outlier was determined for dry wall and none for floor tile/mastic. Sample distribution exhibited variability and was non-normal (logarithmic) for both types of materials abated.
  
  Probability of exceeding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Permissible Exposure Limit for floor tile/mastic was low.
  
  Employment of respirators during abatement of floor tile/mastic is not required by regulatory standards, but is necessary for dry wall abatement.
  
  Comparison of exposure for within- and between-workers suggests that the process of abatement is the important factor for source of exposure.
  
  These exposure data suggest that dry wall abatement workers are not a homogeneous group, but floor tile/mastic workers are a homogeneous group.
• Lange, J. H., P. R. Lange, T. K. Reinhard, and K. W. Thomulka. A STUDY OF PERSONAL AND AREA AIRBORNE ASBESTOS CONCENTRATIONS DURING ASBESTOS ABATEMENT: A STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF FIBRE CONCENTRATION DATA [PDF] Occupational Health and Industrial Medicine 5, no. 36 (1997): 198.
  Abstract:
  
  Data were collected and analysed on airborne concentrations of asbestos generated by abatement of different asbestos-containing materials using various removal practices. Airborne concentrations of asbestos are dramatically variable among the types of asbestos-containing material being abated.
  
  Abatement practices evaluated in this study were removal of boiler/pipe insulation in a crawl space, ceiling tile, transte, floor tile/mastic with traditional methods, and mastic removal with a high-efficiency paniculate air filter blast track (shot-blast) machine. In general, abatement of boiler and pipe insulation produces the highest airborne fibre levels, while abatement of floor tile and mastic was observed to be the lowest
  
  A comparison of matched personal and area samples was not significantly different, and exhibited a good correlation using regression analysis. After adjusting data for outliers, personal sample fibre concentrations were greater than area sample fibre concentrations.
  
  Statistical analysis and sample distribution of airborne asbestos concentrations appear to be best represented in a logarithmic form. Area sample fibre concentrations were shown in this study to have a larger variability than personal measurements. Evaluation of outliers in fibre concentration data and the ability of these values to skew sample populations is presented.
  
  The use of personal and area samples in determining exposure, selecting personal protective equipment and its historical relevance as related to future abatement projects is discussed.
• Lange, J. H., P. R. Lange, T. K. Reinhard, and K. W. Thomulka. "A study of personal and area airborne asbestos concentrations during asbestos abatement: a statistical evaluation of fibre concentration data." the Annals of Occupational Hygiene 40, no. 4 (1996): 449-466.
  Abstract:
  Abstract
  Data were collected and analysed on airborne concentrations of asbestos generated by abatement of different asbestos-containing materials using various removal practices. Airborne concentrations of asbestos are dramatically variable among the types of asbestos-containing material being abated.
  
  Abatement practices evaluated in this study were removal of boiler/pipe insulation in a crawl space, ceiling tile, transte, floor tile/mastic with traditional methods, and mastic removal with a high-efficiency paniculate air filter blast track (shot-blast) machine.
  
  In general, abatement of boiler and pipe insulation produces the highest airborne fibre levels, while abatement of floor tile and mastic was observed to be the lowest
  
  A comparison of matched personal and area samples was not significantly different, and exhibited a good correlation using regression analysis. After adjusting data for outliers, personal sample fibre concentrations were greater than area sample fibre concentrations.
  
  Statistical analysis and sample distribution of airborne asbestos concentrations appear to be best represented in a logarithmic form. Area sample fibre concentrations were shown in this study to have a larger variability than personal measurements.
  
  Evaluation of outliers in fibre concentration data and the ability of these values to skew sample populations is presented. The use of personal and area samples in determining exposure, selecting personal protective equipment and its historical relevance as related to future abatement projects is discussed.
  
• Paustenbach, Dennis J., Amy Sage, Michael Bono, and Fionna Mowat. "Occupational exposure to airborne asbestos from coatings, mastics, and adhesives." Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology 14, no. 3 (2004): 234-244.
  
  Abstract:
  Over the past few years, a question has arisen about the degree of exposure to airborne asbestos associated with the application, cleanup, and tear-out of glues and mastics used between 1940 and the present. These liquid products were used either to adhere insulation to pipes and boilers or to cover the insulation so as to protect it.
  
  In this study, four asbestos-containing products, a coating, two mastics, and an adhesive, which were representative of the various classes of products that have been used historically, were tested to determine the airborne concentration of asbestos fibers released during five different activities (application, spill cleanup, sanding, removal, and sweep cleaning).
  
  Each activity was performed for 30 min (often in triplicate). Personal (n=172) and area (n=280) air samples were collected during the tests, and each was analyzed for total fiber concentrations using phase contrast microscopy (PCM), and for asbestos fiber count using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A measurable concentration of asbestos fibers was detected in six of the 452 samples collected (0.0017–0.0184 fibers/ml).
  
  The observed asbestos fibers counts for each product were similar to background. Only one asbestos fiber was detected in an indoor background sample; no asbestos fibers were identified in any of the outdoor background samples.
  
  The (raw) PCM-total fiber concentrations were adjusted based on TEM analyses that reported fraction of asbestos fibers (to derive a PCM-asbestos concentration) and by the fraction of the 8-h workday that a worker spends performing the activity (to derive a calculated TWA).
  
  For the coatings, mastics, and adhesives evaluated in the present study, the calculated TWAs using hypothetical work scenarios were well below the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.1 fibers/ml.
  
  The calculated TWAs ranged from 0.03 to 0.009 fibers/ml. The actual concentration of airborne asbestos due to these products is almost certainly much less than the TWAs, and may be so low as to not be measurable.
  
  These results support the historical view that these products, over the past 50 years, did not pose an occupational health hazard under foreseeable uses.
• Racine, William P. EMISSIONS CONCERNS DURING RENOVATION IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING: ASBESTOS ABATEMENT OF FLOOR TILE AND MASTIC IN MEDICAL FACILITIES [PDF] Journal of environmental management 91, no. 7 (2010): 1429-1436.
  Abstract:
  Healthcare facilities undergoing renovation have specific concerns that are exacerbated when the restoration requires asbestos abatement of aged floor tile and mastic. The current state of the art for removal of these materials involves manual removal of floor tile and chemical stripping of mastic.
  
  Utilization of these stripping chemicals is a concern for facilities whose perception is based on a safe, caring, and healthy environment. In this study, wet grinding is evaluated as an alternative to chemical stripping of asbestos-containing floor tile mastic.
  
  This study endeavors to answer the question; what is the difference between these two methodologies in terms of their operational efficacy and suitability in the healthcare setting.
  
  Wet grinding and chemical stripping are evaluated in a side-by-side comparison using a mixed methods approach. The data shows that the methodologies are statistically similar in terms of their cost and emissions data.
  
  The data indicates that the benefits associated with the wet grinding method offer advantages that are not present using the chemical stripping method. This study also demonstrates that wet grinding is a viable alternative to chemical stripping especially in healthcare facilities.
  
  Conclusion excerpt:
  The interview data generated in this study suggests a stake- holder preference for the wet grinding methodology over the chemical stripping methodology. The owner, employees, physi- cians, and patients had less aversion to the wet grinding method than the chemical stripping method.
  
  This is mainly due to the minimal perception of odors associated with the removal action. Further, employee satisfaction with the abatement activity was overwhelmingly negative for the chemical stripping methodology.
• [21] Rotterdam Convention PIC, see http://www.pic.int/home.php?type=s&id=77, and for a PDF on the composition of vinyl-asbestos flooring, see http://www.pic.int/en/DGDs/Alternatives/USA/American%20alternatives%20part%203.pdf
  where PIC refers to
  Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade on 10 September 1998. 
  
  

  Major Provisions of the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure PIC 

  The Convention covers pesticides and industrial chemicals that have been banned or severely restricted for health or environmental reasons by Parties and which have been notified by Parties for inclusion in the PIC procedure. 
  
  One notification from each of two specified regions triggers consideration of addition of a chemical to Annex III of the Convention, Severely hazardous pesticide formulations that present a hazard under conditions of use in developing countries or countries with economies in transition may also be nominated for inclusion in Annex III.

  There are 40 chemicals listed in Annex III of the Convention and subject to the PIC procedure, including 25 pesticides, 4 severely hazardous pesticide formulations and 11 industrial chemicals. Many more chemicals are expected to be added in the future.
  
  The Conference of the Parties decides on the inclusion of new chemicals.
  
  Once a chemical is included in Annex III, a "decision guidance document" (DGD) containing information concerning the chemical and the regulatory decisions to ban or severely restrict the chemical for health or environmental reasons, is circulated to all Parties. 

  Parties have nine months to prepare a response concerning the future import of the chemical.  The response can consist of either a final decision (to allow import of the chemical, not to allow import, or to allow import subject to specified conditions) or an interim response.
  
  Decisions by an importing country must be trade neutral (i.e., apply equally to domestic production for domestic use as well as to imports from any source).

  The import decisions are circulated and exporting country Parties are obligated under the Convention to take appropriate measure to ensure that exporters within its jurisdiction comply with the decisions.

• Silverdell, HISTORY OF ASBESTOS IN THE UK - THE STORY SO FAR ..., Silverdell PLC, 14 Buckingham St., London WC2N 6DF TelP 0207 389 6906, email: info@silverdell.plc.uk website: www.silverdell.plc.uk. Web search 3/4/12, original source: issuu.com/silverdell_plc/docs/silverdell_history_of_asbestos_article
• US EPA, TOXICS INFORMATION SERIES: ASBESTOS [PDF], U.S. EPA, April 1980
• US EPA, DECONSTRUCTION - BUILDING DISASSEMBLY AND MATERIAL SALVAGE - THE RIVERDALE CASE STUDY [PDF] U.S. EPA, web search 3/4/12, original source: epa.gov/wastes/conserve/rrr/imr/cdm/pubs/river.pdf, [copy on file as: /hazmat/Deconstruction_Riverdale_EPA.pdf]
• Williams Jr, Marion Glenn, and Robert N. Crossman Jr. "Asbestos release during removal of resilient floor covering materials by recommended work practices of the resilient floor covering institute." Applied occupational and environmental hygiene 18, no. 6 (2003): 466-478.

...

---

---

ADVERTISEMENT

---

---

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2022-08-22 by (mod) - limited view of what may be wood pine board paneling

Looks like pine paneling with beveled edges, but we're only seeing the back of a board, totally out of context. It's just a guess.

On 2022-08-22 by Jake

@InspectApedia-911, okay thanks so much!! In your opinion would this piece of wood with this adhesive be part of a wall or a floor? The cutting of older drywall and replacing with new is the type of construction that took place….

On 2022-08-22 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - adhesive mastic may contain asbestos

@Jake Connelly,

Not at all to be glib, the worry in this case is the greater health hazard.

Learn more about adhesives and mastics above on this page.

On 2022-08-22 by Jake Connelly

@InspectApedia-911, Hi thank you, oh gosh okay. I just put it in a plastic bag is that okay? Hopefully I didn’t expose us to it.

On 2022-08-22 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Jake Connelley,

Looks like an adhesive mastic. Sometimes that contained asbestos. Not friable.

On 2022-08-22 by Jake Connelley

Hi, I had this piece left over after a contractor came in to remove some drywall. Could you help me identify this? The house is old and I am wondering what this substance might be on this piece of wood?

Concerned it could be something hazardous? Thanks for your consideration.

[Photo above]

On 2022-02-15 by Laurie - very worried about asbestos in floor tile, grout, mastic in a 1987 Boca Raton home

Do you think the grout could have asbestos in it. And I'm hearing so many mixed information on this was this stuff really banned in 1986 or could they use up what they had. My fear is my health I had zero idea there could be a chance that asbestos could be in grout. Anything you can tell me would help.

Thanks so much yes I will post you helped me take a deep breath. I've been stressed for days! I'm feeling a little more positive. I really wish more people were aware of this!

On 2022-02-13 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod)

@Laurie,

Most likely you'll be ok, but do let us know the test results as that may help other readers.

On 2022-02-13 by Laurie

Thank you so much I'm still moving forward with the testing I do know these were built in 87 I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks again

On 2022-02-13 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod)

@Laurie,

In the U.S. asbestos would not be expected in new flooring or wall products sold after 1986.

On 2022-02-13 by Laurie

Hi it's in South Florida Boca Raton so worried about tile and grout and drywall that they drilled in. Do you know if there was a ban in Florida for using asbestos in tile grout or drywall? Thanks so much

On 2022-02-13 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod)

@Laurie,

Low, not zero, depending on the country where your home is located and that country's dates of ban on uses of asbestos.

On 2022-02-13 by Laurie

Hi very worried I have a 1987 Villa that had a partial flood and 1987 tile was taken up with grout. And alot of baseboards were pulled up exposing drywall they also drilled in drywall.

There was dust all over never shut off air conditioning. I have been living in here for 2 months. What are chances it has asbestos. Thank you Laurie

[Photo above]

On 2021-09-17 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Aaron,

Use a sealant. Then, yes you can

In the Recommended Articles
See

FLOOR TILE BASE LEVELING describes using leveling compounds or filler-tiles before flooring-over asbestos tile floors

FLOORING ADHESIVE MASTIC SEALANTS - if you need to glue down new floor or add a leveling compound over old tile mastic

On 2021-09-17 by Aaron

Can I cover old black cut back with modern peel and stick vinyl tiles? I plan to cover the entire floor with vinyl plank but I need to level the floor in certain areas as the old 9x9 tiles have broken and left the cutback residue exposed on the concrete slab. I just wanted to make sure the modern peel and stick adhesive wouldn’t have a chemical reaction to the old asbestos cutback.

On 2021-03-24 by danjoefriedman (mod) - asbestos content in "Screwfix" product

@Natalie,

Disposing of a small amount of non-friable asbestos-containing material such as an adhesive in a container may be permitted as simple construction debris (bag and toss with construction debris) - depending on the country and state or province where you live - check with your local department of environment.


For example, here is the rule for disposing of a material like the product you cite, for people who live in New York:

Non-Friable asbestos is currently regulated by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as construction and demolition debris and must be handled as such. This material can be delivered to Authority Transfer Stations in Utica or Rome for disposal.

In accordance with NYS DOL Code Rule 56, Subpart 5 [CR 56-5.1 (c)], a building/structure that is certified to be unsound or slated for contracted demolition, the building/structure shall be assumed to contain asbestos, and shall be demolished and removed in accordance with DOL CR 56 guidelines, unless the building/structure is adequately certified to be free of asbestos-containing material.

Acceptable documentation for certification shall be a previous thorough building/structure asbestos survey, abatement records or other documentation acceptable to the NYS DOL.

As there are some exemptions to the asbestos survey requirements, to obtain a complete copy of NYS DOL CR 56, or if you have any questions regarding CR 56, please contact NYS DOL at (315) 479-3215 or visit their website. - source: New York Oneida Herkimer Solid Waste Authority, https://www.ohswa.org/garbage/solid-waste-information/asbestos-disposal/

...

Asbestos is regulated under the authority of multiple statues.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates asbestos as a solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as a building material under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), limits effluent discharges for asbestos fibers in water under the Clean Water Act, and as an airborne contaminant under the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Program (NESHAP) in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

or a company with that product name is still around - https://www.screwfix.com/ - you might give them a call to see if they have recommendations.

For other readers:

Screwfix is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company with over 1,400 stores, supported by a team of over 80,000 colleagues, in 10 countries in Europe and Turkey. - Wikipedia 2022/08/25

On 2021-03-24 by Natalie - product called Screwfix that contained asbestos.

We were clearing out stuff from my father's garage and came across a product called Screwfix that contained asbestos.

It has been partially opened up and we are wondering how dangerous the product might be and the best way of getting rid of it. Any hints or advice would be much appreciated.

On 2020-12-14 by Tom Donovan

I do marketing for a company that has helped numerous amounts of people solve there flooring issues when dealing with asbestos removal, black mastics, and any type of mold or lead abatement issues.

They have a product that is a primer that seals the asbestos or black mastics called PerfectPrimer and they also just launched a new product called PerfectPaint that not only seals the asbestos but it is also the finish coat.

So is you want to put down a new floor then you can seal and prime or simply purchase PerfectPaint and the floor will be encapsulated and finished with 2 easy to apply coats.

You can buy this product directly online @ www/PerfectPrimer.com

On 2020-04-12 by Chris K. - Zinsser BIN to seal cutback, then use epoxy paint.

I have 12 X 12 tiles that were down, basement had water damage. The tiles were so loose that I could use my foot to move them. Tiles removed, black mastic left on the floor. From what I see on this site, I want to seal this possible asbestos.

I was told I could use Zinsser BIN to seal cutback, then use epoxy paint. Half the basement floor has this, the other half is concrete.

On 2019-11-10 by danjoefriedman (mod)

RE-posting

Moderator replied:

There are some paint-on floor sealants that claim to stick to mastic-coated concrete or wood surfaces, to which then peel and stick or other adhesive-applied flooring can be added.

See FLOORING ADHESIVE MASTIC SEALANTS - if you need to glue down new floor or add a leveling compound over old tile mastic

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Floor_Sealants.php


Chrissy C said

What would you recommend covering it with? Would peel and stick vinyl tiles adhere to the cutback? I have black mastic exposed in my basement furnace room where there is a drain and want to cover it with something cheap and easy to clean that won't grow mold underneath. Any suggestions?

On 2018-04-22 by (mod) -

Mit.

Right, I agree that this floor's asbestos content is uncertain and won't be known without a lab test. I would treat the floor as presumed to contain asbestos - which is not a reason to panic as if the floor is in good shape and is not made into dust by grinding etc. the hazards from asbestos are likely to be below the limits of detection.

See ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

On 2018-04-22 by mitschele13

>We recently purchased a house built in 1984 and were worried about the tiles in the basement. The furthest back I could find pictures was when it sold in 1996 so I don’t know if the tiles were there between 1984-1996. 1984 is on the cusp of the 1980 ban and they are 12”x12” with a black bottom so we’d appreciate any information.

Image lost by old Comments Box Code - sorry; if possible please post it again.

On 2017-04-17 by (mod) -

Cassie,

Please see your question and our answer where you first posted it at ASBESTOS-MASTIC REMEDIATION found at https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Mastic_Asbestos_Remediation.php

On 2017-04-17 by Cassie T

Hello,

We've recently purchased a house built in 1908-9 (in New England) and a contractor pulled up the kitchen flooring (vinyl stick-on tiles, and some sort of tiles or possibly sheet flooring underneath?) We were planning to sand/refinish the pine floors underneath)

After reading a lot on this site, we sent samples of what was left stuck to the floor to be tested by Western Analytics, and the results came back showing trace amount of chrysotile in the mastic.

Kitchen Linoleum - Brown-black granular/ fibrous - Non-friable - None Detected - Cellulose 60% Horse hair 5% - Granular Minerals Organics (tar)
Kitchen Adhesive - Lt. Yellow granular - Non-friable - Chrysotile <1% - none detected - granular minerals organics

and the lab said in their notes: "mastic / adhesive contains less than 1% asbestos (type: chrysotile). it appears asbestos is due to contamination from remnants of an older asbestos linoleum backing. if i'm not mistaken in your state a material having less than 1% asbestos concentration is equivalent to non-asbestos containing. still, do not sand this material."

though our research online shows that less than 1% is not technically acm, we are concerned about sanding, and having a lot of trouble finding any information about this particular scenario.

any advice or info on how to handle this situation and whether we can use/preserve the wood flooring would be so helpful!!!!>

On 2015-04-03 by (mod) - ceramic tile is not the same product as vinyl-asbestos or asphalt-asbestos tile

OS

You use the word "ceramic" - but typical government building flooring from the 1970's such as you describe would have been of vinyl or asphalt asbestos floor tiles - not a ceramic product. If your flooring is actually ceramic tile, with a few exceptions, the risk of asbestos exposure is more likely zero.

Often asphalt asbestos as well as vinyl asbestos floor tiles not only contained asbestos in the body of the tile but asbestos may have been in the mastic adhesive too.

These materials are not normally highly friable and are not easily airborne but can become so, particularly if flooring is demolished, ground, sanded, cut, or severely disturbed. It's not something to panic about and in fact EPA's best advice is that the lowest risk is to leave in place and perhaps cover-over or seal such materials.

In ARTICLE INDEX see

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

ASBESTOS FLOORING LEFT IN PLACE

ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

If your management wants to know accurately what's in the floor, it's trivial to send a small sample to a certified asbestos test lab

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST also listed above.

On 2015-04-03 by OS

What do you know about the old black tiling used inmost Post Offices? These tiles were used in the 70's or earlier. They are known to contain asbestos, but is the asbestos in the tile itself or in the glue?

The tile seems to be a cement with some sort of softer compound above and then covered with a thin layer of some sort of ceramic. This ceramic easily is chipped off. I work in an office with a floor like this.

It has a ton of damage,.. holes, pits, and moon like craters all over the surface of the floor.

Management is adamant that the cement is just a layer and the asbestos is underneath. The floor is not very well kept (as noted above). They occasionally "wax" the floor, but when chips or pits occur, they do nothing to cover them up.

Question: I removed some 6" ceramic tiles that I estimate were from the late 70's or early 80's - would these ceramic tiles contain asbestos?

A few years ago I removed an area of ceramic tiles from the floor of my house. They were about 6inches square and 0.5 inches deep and were ceramic or possibly concrete. I am unsure of there age but estimate late 70s early 80s

Would it have been likely that these tiles contained asbestos or were asbestos containing tiles restricted to the vinyl type? If it makes any difference our location is England. Any information you could give would be gratefully received Thanks - A.H. PS - your website is great and really useful

Reply: asbestos-ceramic tile risks, history in the UK, recommendations

From the age you give, and considering that the ceramic tiles could have been in stock for some time before they were installed, having been thus made in the 1970's, they indeed could have contained asbestos, particularly depending on the country of origin.

We have some lab reports confirming asbestos in certain ceramic tiles from the Mediterranean and asbestos in some other floor tiles such as some terrazzos, but we have not yet located an authoritative source that documents that asbestos was ever used as a component of ceramic floor tiles or wall tiles.

Watch out: A more likely asbestos hazard one might encounter when removing ceramic floor or wall tiles would be an asbestos-containing tile mastic - the glue that was used to secure ceramic tiles on walls and floors in a thin-set installation methods.

You would not expect to find asbestos below ceramic tiles at an older installation at which the tiles were bedded directly into cement - the "thick set" method for tile installation.

The history of asbestos use and regulation in the UK could have permitted your ceramic tiles, installed in the 1980's, to contain asbestos. At References at the end of this article we cite authoritative sources for that information.

...

Continue reading  at ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MASTIC DANGEROUS? or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS-CONTAINING ADHESIVES
• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION - home
• ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS
• ASBESTOS REMOVAL, WETTING GUIDELINES
• DOES THIS MATERIAL CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if a BUILDING MATERIAL probably contains asbestos -
• FLOOR TILE BASE LEVELING describes using leveling compounds or filler-tiles before flooring-over asbestos tile floors
• FLOORING ADHESIVE MASTIC SEALANTS - if you need to glue down new floor or add a leveling compound over old tile mastic
• MASTIC, CUTBACK ADHESIVE, FLASHING CEMENT ASBESTOS
  • ASBESTOS-CONTAINING ADHESIVES
  • ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MASTIC DANGEROUS?
  • ASBESTOS MASTIC IDENTIFICATION
  • ASBESTOS-MASTIC REMEDIATION
  • ASBESTOS SOURCES in MASTIC or UNDERLAYMENT
  • ASBESTOS MASTIC INTO AIR?
  • FLOORING ADHESIVE MASTIC SEALANTS
  • ROOF SEALANTS & MASTICS

Suggested citation for this web page

ASBESTOS-CONTAINING ADHESIVES at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

---

ADVERTISEMENT

---