Overview
Floor covering workers — installers of vinyl flooring, carpet, and other floor materials — faced significant asbestos exposure from vinyl asbestos tiles, sheet goods with asbestos backing, and asbestos-containing adhesives. Both installation and removal of flooring created hazardous asbestos exposure.
Asbestos in Flooring Materials
| Product | Asbestos Content | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl asbestos tile (VAT) | 10–25% | High |
| Mastic adhesive | 5–15% | Very High |
| Cutback adhesive | 5–15% | Very High |
| Sheet vinyl backing | Variable | Moderate |
| Carpet underlayment | Variable | Moderate |
How Floor Covering Workers Were Exposed
New Installation
Installing new flooring created moderate exposure:
- Cutting vinyl asbestos tiles to fit
- Spreading adhesive with trowels
- Installing sheet goods with asbestos backing
- Working over existing asbestos flooring
Removal Work
Flooring removal created the highest exposure:
- Breaking apart old vinyl asbestos tiles
- Scraping adhesive from concrete subfloors
- Sanding adhesive residue
- Removing deteriorated sheet flooring
The black mastic adhesive used under vinyl flooring often contained more asbestos than the tiles. Removing or sanding this adhesive releases concentrated asbestos fibers.
Types of Flooring Work
Floor covering workers installed:
- Resilient flooring: Vinyl tiles and sheet goods
- Carpet: Often over asbestos flooring
- Wood flooring: Sometimes over asbestos underlayment
- Specialty flooring: Commercial and industrial
Work Environments
Floor covering workers worked in:
- Residential: Homes and apartments
- Commercial: Office buildings, retail
- Institutional: Schools, hospitals
- Industrial: Factories, warehouses
Related Occupations
Floor covering workers worked alongside:
- Tile setters — Floor tile installation
- Carpenters — Building construction
- Laborers — Debris removal
- Demolition workers — Renovation
Related Industry
Current Risk
Floor covering workers today still face asbestos exposure when removing flooring in pre-1980 buildings. Proper testing and abatement procedures are essential.
Health Consequences
Floor covering workers are at risk for:
- Mesothelioma: Cancer of the chest or abdominal lining
- Asbestosis: Progressive lung scarring
- Lung cancer: Especially combined with smoking
- Pleural disease: Thickening of lung lining
Legal Options
Floor covering workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may pursue:
Asbestos Trust Funds
Flooring and adhesive manufacturers have established trusts.
Additional Claims
- Product liability lawsuits: Against flooring manufacturers
- Premises liability: Against building owners
- Workers’ compensation: Through employer coverage