ᐅ Asbestos: Handling, Dust Sampling, Material Testing

Created on: 28 Jun 2019 23:15
M
Manuel24
Good evening,

About three years ago, I removed the carpet with foam backing and the kitchen floor, which was a type of vinyl, in my apartment built in 1982/83. A floating hardwood floor was then installed on top, and the baseboards were taped off.

At the time, I did not consider that the carpet, adhesive, or vinyl might contain asbestos. Now, three years later, I realize that I handled the removal rather carelessly, pulling everything up and scraping it out.

I would like to find out if I released asbestos back then or if asbestos is still coming up from under the new floor into the indoor air.

I still have one piece of carpet remnant with adhesive. However, several different carpets had been installed.

From my research online, I learned that dust sampling (stamping) or material testing can be done. However, I would prefer not to remove the newly installed flooring again. My main concern is whether there is an immediate health risk in the current situation. Therefore, I would appreciate your opinion on how you would proceed to clarify the situation.

Thank you very much.
Y
ypg
1 Jul 2019 23:11
Manuel24 schrieb:

I hadn’t considered that the carpet, adhesive, or vinyl could contain asbestos.

That would be new to me, asbestos is more likely to be found in the building structure and exterior facade, but not in foam backing and similar materials.
A
aero2016
2 Jul 2019 06:10
Stivikivi schrieb:

It is definitely serious, but no one gets sick from a short-term exposure. Well, unless you come into contact with uranium briefly, but that’s something completely different, right
That’s an expert speaking.
Theoretically, a single inhaled asbestos fiber can cause the feared cancer.
With asbestos, unfortunately, the duration of exposure does not determine whether you suffer damage or not.
M
Müllerin
2 Jul 2019 07:21
You can’t change anything NOW anyway.
Whether you might have gotten some of it, you can no longer check.
Your carpet is useless to you – if anything, it was in the PVC flooring. It might have been better to leave that in place and simply lay the parquet on top.
G
Gartenfreund
2 Jul 2019 07:46
After 3 years, I wouldn’t give it any more thought. There’s nothing left to change anyway.
Y
ypg
2 Jul 2019 08:57
Gartenfreund schrieb:

After 3 years, I wouldn’t worry about it anymore. There is nothing left to change anyway.

Exactly.
Besides, ignorance can protect you from higher premiums in some insurance policies.
A
apokolok
2 Jul 2019 12:41
The year of construction also suggests that asbestos was unlikely to have been used. Certainly not in the carpet or foam. Don’t worry yourself unnecessarily.