Comments on: What is more harmful? Asbestos found in heating insulation pipes or asbestos found in vinyl 9×9 tiles?

By: h.h.stevens

h.h.stevens — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:26:59 +0000

If left alone, the health risk is extremely minor.These fibres ae dangerous when airborne. Any work on the heating system could get very expensive, requiring professionals to do removal and cleanup. I wouldn't worry about the tiles.
References :

By: misfitter

misfitter — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:21:59 +0000

9 x 9 tiles are since they are being walked upon.

However, the filaments in the pipe insulation is very hazordous.

Simply get an Asbestous Removal Company and pay for it. It is like if the paint used was from before 1950 it will contain lead.
References :

By: suellenh

suellenh — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:08:59 +0000

Asbestos becomes airborne when it's being removed, so if you plan to remove either of these products it must be done by an asbestos abatement company – very expensive. I'm not sure what the hardness is of the heating insulation pipes is (I live in a warmer climate) but I know the old asbestos tiles were very hard; if they are disintegrating asbestos could become airborn. However, as stated, asbestos abatement is very expensive but absolutely necessary – however, if you wanted to redo the tiles, you could just cover them up – again, I don't know what heating insulation pipes are but if this is friable I would be very leery of it. Mesothelioma shows up in workers who removed insulation from commercial high heat sources, ships engine rooms, iron smelters, and in the women who did laundry for their husbands, even in family members who were around as the men's clothing was moved in the air. Mesothelioma is deadly; there is no cure.
References :
Worked for a company that examined sufferers of mesothelioma, cancer caused by inhaled asbestos fibers.

By: mccolley2

mccolley2 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 05:37:59 +0000

Heating insulation is probably the most harmful, but basically it depends on how friable the asbestos is. That is to say, how broken up and exposed to the air it is. A badly broken asbestos tile that is emitting friable substance into the air is much more dangerous than asbestos heating insulation that is in perfect condition.
References :

By: Zaphod

Zaphod — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 05:23:59 +0000

The insulation around the piping can be sealed effectively with different stuff to make it unlikely to become airborne. You just have to be wary of any repairs necessary. The asbestos in the tile can be sealed, but a bad scratch or something like that can relase the particles into the air.
References :

By: mcmdcak

mcmdcak — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:51:59 +0000

The pipe insulation since the asbestos fibers are loosely bound. It is the very fine asbestos filaments getting caught in lungs that do the damage. I'd "negotiate" for removal of such or walk away from the deal (unless I have the removal priced in my offer).
References :