linoleum
Application, products: floorings on the basis of linseed oil
Are you planning to renovate or replace your old linoleum floor? Then be careful, because renovation work can release dangerous asbestos fibers. Floor coverings in older buildings in particular often have significant asbestos levels.
If you cannot rule out asbestos exposure, you should always order an asbestos test before renovating or refurbishing.
CRB reliably tests floor coverings made of linoleum, PVC and other materials for asbestos. Simply send in a sample and quickly have certainty about whether your material contains asbestos.
- Types of asbestos: predominantly chrysotile rarely anthophyllite, termolite
- Asbestos content: traces up to a few per cent
Our services for you
- analysis for asbestos carried out by qualified scientists in our own accredited laboratory
- short processing time, as a rule 3 days after sample receipt
- court-proof analysis
- regular participation in collaborative studies in the field of asbestos analysis
Costs for the analysis for asbestos in linoleum
Analysis as material sample according to VDI guideline 3866, page 5 for
€ 85.00 net or € 101.15 VAT incl.
Sample tray of the scanning electron microscope with preparations for asbestos analysis
Asbestos analysis of linoleum: SEM-image of chrysotile asbestos
Linoleum sample for analysis for asbestos
Frequently asked questions about asbestos deposits in linoleum
What is linoleum?
Linoleum is made up of the Latin words linum (flax) and oleum (oil) and consists of a high proportion of renewable raw materials. Since linoleum is very resistant and most deformations are almost completely recovered, it is excellent as a floor covering. It is visually similar to the widely used PVC flooring. PVC flooring also includes vinyl asbestos panels, which were produced at the same time until the 1970s. These are often almost indistinguishable from linoleum flooring. While real linoleum floors are usually asbestos-free or only rarely contaminated, PVC vinyl sheets often contain asbestos.
Until when was asbestos used in linoleum flooring?
In Germany, the use of asbestos was not banned until 1993. Therefore, there is always a risk of asbestos in old linoleum floor coverings installed before 1993. The asbestos type chrysotile is predominantly incorporated, rarely also anthophyllite or termolite. Asbestos is highly carcinogenic and even inhalation of a single fiber can trigger the dangerous lung disease asbestosis.
What is the possible asbestos content in linoleum?
Linoleum flooring usually shows only low levels of asbestos. However, the risk of fiber release under mechanical stress is high, especially if the material is old and brittle. Linoleum flooring was sold in the 1970s as a sheet material with a cardboard layer of pure asbestos on the back - similar to cushion vinyl, another flooring material containing asbestos. But because the layer is very thin, the overall asbestos content of the building material does not exceed a few percent.
Another problem is adhesives containing asbestos, which adhere not only to the flooring but also to the screed, where they must be removed at great expense during renovation. PVC tiles with a linoleum look, on the other hand, contained up to 20 percent asbestos. If these tiles are damaged, leakage of the hazardous fibers is very likely.
How can I tell if linoleum contains asbestos?
First, you can look at when the floor was installed. If it was installed before 1993, it will most likely contain asbestos-containing building materials. If the back of the flooring is glued with a thin cardboard, it indicates the dangerous asbestos cardboard.
Linoleum tiles are visually difficult to distinguish from PVC panels. However, modern PVC tiles are very flexible, while old linoleum tiles break very easily and a cracking sound can be heard. Real certainty about possible asbestos exposure can only be provided by laboratory analysis.
What are the dangers of linoleum flooring containing asbestos?
Worn or damaged linoleum flooring can release hazardous asbestos fibers. These can be inhaled and cause scarring of lung tissue.
This can lead to cancer or asbestosis for years and can be fatal. Therefore, you should not only pay attention to whether there might be asbestos-containing floor coverings made of linoleum or PVC in your home. Protect your health and also leave the asbestos removal and disposal of the linoleum or PVC flooring to specialists.
What should be done in the case of linoleum containing asbestos?
Normally, the asbestos is firmly bound and therefore there is no acute danger of asbestos fiber release. Care should be taken if the floor is damaged or you are planning to renovate or refurbish it. You should have damaged flooring disposed of by a specialist company as soon as possible. If you are planning to renovate or refurbish the floor, you should under no circumstances take the removal of the floor into your own hands.
How do I dispose of linoleum flooring containing asbestos?
A specialist company should always be consulted not only for the removal but also for the disposal of the asbestos sheets. This is because if the necessary protective measures are not observed and the appropriate protective clothing is not worn, there is a risk of releasing the dangerous fibers.
If you hire a specialist company to remove your PVC flooring or linoleum flooring, make sure they are knowledgeable and have the appropriate qualifications according to TRGS 519. Adhesive and flooring must be labeled as asbestos-containing waste and disposed of separately.
How much does it cost to dispose of asbestos-containing linoleum?
The price of asbestos abatement depends on the amount of asbestos-containing covering to be removed. For the removal of firmly bonded asbestos, homeowners should expect to pay between 30 and 45 euros per cubic meter. In addition, there are costs for travel and, if necessary, the rental and erection of scaffolding. Many companies take over the disposal of the asbestos-containing waste at the same time, which means further costs.
