Because of the naturally soft, fibrous consistency of , the fireproof mineral was also made into felt for construction and manufacturing purposes until its toxicity was revealed to the public. Felt is a type of fabric made when textile fibers are compressed and heated or moistened so that they mat together. Felt was commonly made of animal hair or synthetic fibers.
Felt was used as an underlayment for floors and roofs. Paper mills also used sheets of it on which to dry hot paper pulp. The content of these products was historically 85%, with almost all manufacturers using the common chrysotile form, also known as “white .” Because felt is friable, which means it easily releases toxic dust particles into the air when worked with or disturbed, it poses a major exposure risk.
Flooring felt is one of the few products completely banned in the U.S., and regulations now require other products to contain less than 1% . However, old felt remains in the floors and roofs of millions of American buildings constructed between 1900 and the 1990s. Roofers, flooring installers, demolition workers and paper mill workers have faced the greatest risk of exposure to this product.
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In 2007, an exposure study published in Annals of Work Exposures and Health simulated work roofers performed using -containing roofing materials, including felt. Chrysotile fibers were detected in 28 of 84 air samples taken during the study.
Thankfully, the exposure level detected in the study suggested it is unlikely that current roofers are exposed to dangerous levels of over an eight-hour work shift. Unfortunately, former roofers have been exposed to dangerous levels of and have developed related diseases as a result.
Roofers, flooring installers and paper mill workers inhaled fibers while applying or removing felt. Even when the product was new and in good condition it could easily release fibers during handling because of the way it was made.
Signs Your Floor May Possibly Contain Asbestos
In decades past, felt products contributed substantially to the occupational exposure that now results in -related deaths among retired blue-collar workers each year in fields including:
If you were exposed in the past, watch for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, abdominal swelling and fatigue. Workers diagnosed with related diseases should see a doctor to ensure they receive the best treatment possible.
Since the 1970s, thousands of construction workers and homeowners have filed lawsuits against manufactures of products, including felt manufacturers, after being diagnosed with illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. This sent many companies into bankruptcy.
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Another major manufacturer of flooring products, Armstrong World Industries, was driven to bankruptcy in 2000 by the volume of lawsuits filed against it. As part of its reorganization, it established the Armstrong World Industries Trust in 2006 to provide compensation to present and future claimants. According to the trust’s 2014 annual report, it paid almost $100 million in claims that year, and its total value was about $1.8 billion.
In addition to lawsuits and trust fund claims, other forms of compensation include VA claims, Social Security Disability and grants for treatment or travel. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can offer the best guidance on the types of compensation for which you may qualify.
If roofing or flooring installed before 1980 must be repaired or replaced, a sample of the underlayment should be tested for before the work gets underway. Consult a trained abatement professional before doing any work that may disturb an felt product.
Removing Your Old Vinyl Or Linoleum Flooring
Felt is friable, making it a particularly hazardous product no matter the percentage of content. Most felt in homes and businesses today is encapsulated under floor tiles and roof shingles. The safest thing to do in many cases is to leave it that way so fibers remain trapped.
In the early 1900s, a new construction method called built-up roofing became popular. During this process, several layers of fabric covered with tar or asphalt were laid down on top of one another. felt became the primary material used in many flat-topped buildings.
Materials used in flooring installation also incorporated felt. Linoleum, asphalt and vinyl floor tiles all offered cheap and durable flooring solutions, and felt products were available as backing materials for all of them.
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The rise of the office worker brought with it the advent of the modern paper industry, which found yet another application for felt. After trees are processed into wood pulp, the pulp must be dried before being made into paper. Laying the pulp out on sheets of felt allowed it to be dried at a high temperature, increasing the speed of production.
By the 1980s, however, corporations could no longer cover up the link between exposure and fatal diseases such as is and mesothelioma. As with most products, the use of felt has largely been phased out in the United States, though it remains a threat to workers and homeowners renovating old floors and roofs.
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Beware Of Asbestos In Vinyl Flooring
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Our free mesothelioma guide contains information on symptoms, top doctors, support resources and more. Get information tailored to your unique diagnosis, and learn about our free services.Asbestos was a major component in many construction materials up until the 1980s because of its durability and heat-resistant properties. Today, materials with high asbestos content are banned in the U.S. due to the very serious associated health risks. However, many homes built before the 1980s still have many asbestos-containing materials , including types of insulation, textured ceilings, drywall, and many types of flooring.
If you suspect your flooring could contain asbestos, it’s important to take steps to identify it and remove it. This is especially important if you’re planning a renovation or other project that could disrupt the flooring in your home, as disturbing asbestos flooring can create asbestos-containing dust, which is hazardous to breathe. Continue reading to learn how to identify asbestos in your flooring and what to do if you find it in your home.
Common Asbestos Materials
Most homeowners and homebuyers know that finding asbestos in our homes is generally not a good thing. But what is asbestos? How common is it in homes? How do we identify it and what should you do if you discover it in your space? If you’re a homeowner or in the process of buying an older home, these are questions worth getting answers to.
Asbestos offers heat and chemical resistance, in addition to fireproofing and durability. This explains why it was so frequently included in building materials, and especially flooring materials, prior to regulation in the 1980s.
If it’s left undisturbed, asbestos-containing floor tiles or other materials generally don’t pose a serious health risk. However, disrupting or disturbing asbestos flooring in any way during a remodel or other project can release small particles of hazardous asbestos dust into the air in your home. Although these particles may be undetectable by sight or smell, you can easily breathe them into your lungs and expose yourself to serious long-term health risks, including:
Tearing Out Old Kitchen Flooring
If you suspect there is asbestos in your flooring, it’s worth identifying it through certified lab testing and taking steps toward remediation before you begin replacing your flooring or undergoing other home renovations.
Asbestos in flooring is extremely common, especially in older homes. Many types of flooring may contain asbestos, including vinyl tiles, vinyl sheet flooring, linoleum flooring, and laminate flooring. It’s also common to find asbestos in flooring adhesives .
Although the only way to know for sure whether your flooring contains asbestos is to have it professionally tested, there are a few factors that may indicate that your flooring has asbestos. These include the following:
Asbestos Glues And Vinyl Floor Tiles
Many homes have asbestos-containing floor tiles , especially those built or updated in the 1970s and before. Prior to regulation that banned their use, many flooring companies produced tiles that contained high concentrations of asbestos. Since asbestos is known for its heat-resistant properties and durability, asbestos tiles were often installed in high-traffic areas in homes, including kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and entryways.
In older homes, it’s common to find asbestos in vinyl sheet flooring, as well as linoleum and laminate. Generally, the sheet flooring itself does not contain asbestos. Prior to the 1980s, however, manufacturers would often incorporate a felt-like backing to provide a cushion underneath the flooring surface. This felt-like backing often contains very high concentrations of asbestos .
Your floor tiles or sheet flooring may or may not include asbestos. In addition to the flooring itself, the adhesives used to install your flooring may also contain the toxic mineral compound. In the 20th century, black mastic was used frequently as an adhesive to install floor tiles and other types of flooring, and many black mastic
