Flooring installers face a potential risk of asbestos exposure, particularly when working in older buildings constructed before the 1980s. Asbestos was commonly used in various building materials, including some types of floor tiles, adhesives, and backing materials, due to its durability and fire-resistant properties. When these materials are disturbed, such as during removal or renovation, asbestos fibers can be released into the air.
Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to serious health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos in the past, and are now noticing that you’re experiencing health issues that may be related, reach out to Bailey & Glasser, LLP, to discuss your options.
How are Flooring Installers at Risk?
Flooring installers are at risk of asbestos exposure, mainly in environments where asbestos-containing materials are present, often in older buildings. Here’s how this risk arises:
- Disturbing old flooring materials: Asbestos was widely used in various building materials, including floor tiles, linoleum, and the adhesives used to install them, particularly in buildings constructed before the 1980s. When flooring installers remove, cut, sand, or drill into these old flooring materials, asbestos fibers can be released into the air.
- Renovation and demolition activities: During renovation or demolition activities, asbestos-containing materials can be disturbed. Flooring installers involved in these projects are at risk if the presence of asbestos is not identified and safely managed.
Asbestos Sources
Flooring installers may encounter several sources of asbestos, particularly in older buildings constructed before the widespread asbestos regulations of the late 1970s and 1980s. Common sources include:
- Vinyl floor tiles: Asbestos was often used in vinyl and asphalt floor tiles for its durability and fire resistance. Tiles measuring 9-inch, 12-inch, or 18-inch squares are particularly suspect.
- Sheet linoleum: Some linoleum flooring products contained asbestos, especially as a backing material. When this linoleum is cut, sanded, or removed, asbestos fibers can be released.
- Adhesives and mastics: The glues and mastics used to adhere floor tiles and linoleum to subfloors often contained asbestos. Disturbing these adhesives, such as during removal of old flooring, can release fibers.
- Backing materials: The backing or underlayment materials beneath flooring products, like felt paper or linoleum backing, could contain asbestos.
- Ductwork and pipe insulation: In some cases, asbestos-containing materials were used for insulation around pipes or ductwork running beneath or through flooring, which could be disturbed during flooring work.
- Ceiling tiles: Asbestos was also used in certain types of ceiling tiles. Flooring installers working in multi-story buildings where ceiling tiles are being disturbed above or below them might be at risk.
Manufacturers of Asbestos-Containing Flooring Installation Equipment
- American Biltrite: Produced adhesive, tape, paper, and flooring, including floor tiles and vinyl sheet flooring.
- Armstrong World Industries: Armstrong World Industries produced flooring for commercial, residential, and industrial settings.
- Congoleum Corporation: Manufactured vinyl tiles, asphalt tiles, sheet flooring, and countertop covering, the “Gold Seal” flooring was one of the most popular products.
- GAF Corporation: GAF sold construction materials such as tiling, piping, painting, flooring products, and insulating.
- Johns Manville: Produced a wide range of construction products including floor tiles and adhesives.
- Kentile Floors: A flooring manufacturer that produced asphalt vinyl tiles, cork floor tiles, and rubber floor tiles.
- The Flintkote Company: Founded in 1901, Flinkote began producing floor cement, floor tiles, and felt.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos while installing flooring, no matter when that may have been, contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP today. Asbestos-related health issues can take decades to manifest, and you may be entitled to some kind of compensation.
