US EPA

3084874 

Journal Article 

Floor tile installation as a source of asbestos exposure 

Murphy, RL; Levine, BW; Al-Bazzaz, FJ; Lynch, JJ; Burgess, WA 

1971 

Yes 

American Review of Respiratory Disease
ISSN: 0003-0805 

AMER LUNG ASSOC 

NEW YORK 

HEEP/72/05372 

104 

4 

576-580 

English 

5094056 

10.1164/arrd.1971.104.4.576 

WOS:A1971K482400012 

HEEP COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Asphalt or vinyl-asbestos floor tile contains 15-20% asbestos, but the numeral fibers are firmly embedded in the binding material. Installation of these tiles would, therefore, seem to be an unlikely source of a hazardous dust exposure. Case reports of 2 installers of floor tile, 1 with biopsy-proved mesothelimona and another with extensive pleural calcifications are presented. Both workers had frequently sanded asphalt and vinyl tile floors prior to installation of new floor covering. An investigation of the work process revealed that under simulated conditions of work, asbestos dust concentrations as large as 1.3 fibers/ml were found in air samples passed through membrane filters worn by a person engaged in sanding vinyl asbestos. Characteristics absestos fibers were seen in electron photomicrographis of these samples. Before the tile sanding procedure is performed, adequate respiratory protection should be provided or alternate, available installation methods should be used. 

Blood Glucose; Abridged Index Medicus; Index Medicus; Lung -- diagnostic imaging; Dyspnea -- etiology; Middle Aged; Calcinosis -- etiology; Pleural Effusion -- pathology; Environmental Exposure; Mesothelioma -- etiology; Radiography; Vital Capacity; Hemoptysis -- etiology; Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; Blood Glucose -- analysis; Histocytochemistry; Leukocyte Count; Monocytes -- analysis; Erythrocyte Count; Lung Neoplasms -- etiology; Asbestosis -- etiology