How to Identify Asbestos Ceiling Tiles
Asbestos was widely used in home construction until the 1970s when the substance was positively identified as a major health risk by the government. Construction materials that used asbestos were used both inside and outside of the home. Its use was at a peak during the 1950s, and estimates claim that as many as half of the multi-storied buildings constructed from the 50s through 70s have some sort of sprayed-on material that contains asbestos. Identifying ceiling tiles that contain asbestos cannot be done solely on sight alone. However, using age and a few additional tips and tests, the composition of the tiles can be identified. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Identifying Suspect Ceiling Tiles
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Research the building history. Buildings constructed after the mid 1970s are unlikely to contain asbestos ceiling tiles.
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Put on protective gear. Asbestos is a toxic substance that is easily inhaled and should not be allowed to come into contact with the skin. Be sure to cover all exposed areas as much as possible.
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Identify ceiling tiles that may contain asbestos. Tiles that were hung during the late 1940s and later that are approximately one square foot and have an off-white, yellowish, or light gray color and have a fairly solid or evenly perforated surface are the most likely to contain asbestos.
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Avoid touching, scraping, cutting or otherwise disturbing the suspect tiles. Doing so may release asbestos into the air and put people at risk of exposure.
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Turn off any heating or cooling systems that run through the area in question.
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Limit access to the area and contact the EPA for a list of certified asbestos inspectors in your area.
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Make an appointment for a professional inspector to visit the site and perform the proper tests to determine whether or not the ceiling tiles contain asbestos.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to collect a sample of the ceiling tile or it may result in serious health consequences.
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