How Harmful Is Exposure to Asbestos Tile?

Asbestos is a type of mineral that used to be employed in the production of certain types of building materials, including floor and ceiling tiles. Now, however, it is well known that asbestos can cause cancer and other lung diseases. Despite its often fatal effects, however, exposure to asbestos-containing tiles is not always deadly.

What Kind of Tiles Contain Asbestos?

• Asbestos was often a component of vinyl-based floor and ceiling tiles in older buildings.

Mastic

• Certain kinds of mastic or adhesive used to cement tiles in place also contained asbestos, doubling a person's risk of asbestos exposure if the tiles contained asbestos as well.

Risk Factors

• Generally speaking, asbestos tiles are safe if they are left undisturbed. If those tiles become damaged by flooding or abrasion, however, the fibers within them or the adhesive under them can break free and become airborne, where they can then be inhaled.

Cancers

• If accidentally inhaled or ingested, asbestos may cause lung cancer or mesothelioma. There is also evidence that asbestos might cause cancers of the throat, digestive tract, or ovaries.

Other Conditions

• Other asbestos-related ailments include scarring of the lungs, COPD, or a condition known as asbestosis, which is a chronic condition characterized by scarring of the lungs and severe shortness in breath.