What Year Did They Stop Using Asbestos In Flooring

Until the 1950s asbestos was used in the insulation of the majority of buildings around the united states and europe with the vast majority built between 1930 and 1950.

What year did they stop using asbestos in flooring. Stain proof fireproof stylish and affordable vinyl products strengthened through the inclusion asbestos in their manufacture were a very popular choice in many new zealand houses. Older vinyl or rubber floors that are damaged are a different story because the tiles can release asbestos so they need. The use of asbestos in building materials such as insulation rolled roofing siding and floor tiles was common in the first half of the 20th century and if you have an older home it may be lurking in your floor tiles. In the 1970s asbestos very famously was found to be a carcinogen.

It may also be found in some auto parts. The wondrous new no wax flooring sold by companies such as congoleum put a glossy sheen on post war american prosperity. Before 1990 asbestos was mainly used for insulating buildings and homes against cold weather noise and for fireproofing. If floor tiles were installed between 1920 and 1960 there s a good chance they contain asbestos because most flooring tiles manufactured during this period did.

Asbestos has been used in vinyl wallpaper since the 1920s and vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring rose to prominence in the 1950s. Armstrong produced the excelon tile series beginning with a plastic asbestos floor tile series in 1954 referring to the product as vinyl plastic asbestos floor tiles beginning in 1955 and vinyl asbestos tiles from 1957 to 1980. Production and use of asbestos have declined since the 1970s. Why did people stop using asbestos.

Even though the use of asbestos is now limited in the u s thousands still die every year because of past uses of this toxic mineral. It was banned entirely in the united states in 1978. Persons subject to the rule are. Products like certain asbestos vinyl floor tiles insulation and other building materials as well as clothing and manufacturing products are prohibited from being produced and sold before epa reviews them and puts in place any necessary restrictions or prohibits use.

The name has its origin in the greek word for inextinguishable. Asbestos may be found in. Asbestos has been used to make products strong long lasting and fire resistant. It is safest to assume that any flooring material put down before 1980 contains asbestos.

Resilient sheet flooring containing asbestos was also produced finding wide use as early as 1968. If the tiles were installed.