Linoleum, a popular flooring material, has been used in homes and commercial spaces for decades due to its durability and versatility. At the same time, asbestos, a mineral known for its fire-resistant and insulating properties, was prevalent in various building materials, including flooring, until its health hazards became widely recognized. 

As a result, it’s essential to consider whether old linoleum contains asbestos, especially in structures constructed before its dangers were well understood.


!

Si cree que estuvo expuesto al asbesto, incluso cuando era niño, hable con un proveedor de atención médica sobre pruebas y exámenes para ayudar a diagnosticar cicatrices pulmonares y detectar enfermedades relacionadas con enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto.














Understanding Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring









Linoleum is a natural flooring material composed of linseed oil, cork or wood flour, resins, and other raw materials. It was developed in the mid-19th century and gained popularity due to its resilience and eco-friendly components. Linoleum is often appreciated for its vibrant colors and patterns, and it’s considered a more sustainable option than many other flooring materials.





On the other hand, vinyl flooring is a synthetic material made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Vinyl flooring can replicate the appearance of various materials, including wood, stone, and tile. During the mid-20th century, it became popular because of its affordability, resistance to water, and easy maintenance.











    

        

            

                
                    

                        
                            
“La evidencia general sugiere que no existe un nivel seguro de exposición al asbesto”. no hay nivel seguro de exposición al asbesto."

                            
Fuente: Instituto Nacional del Cáncer
 (NIH)1

                        		
                    

                
            

        

    




























Linoleum vs. Vinyl 









Linoleum and vinyl are both popular flooring options that offer durability and versatility but differ in composition, appearance, installation, and maintenance. Here’s a more comprehensive comparison of the two: 





1. Composition:





    

  • Linoleum is a type of flooring made from natural, renewable resources like linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, and pigments. It’s famous for those looking for eco-friendly flooring options because of its renewable components.
    • 






    

  • Vinyl flooring is a synthetic flooring primarily made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, plasticizers, stabilizers, and color pigments. It is commonly used in various applications because of its strong resistance to water and durability. 
    • 






2. Appearance:





    

  • Linoleum: Linoleum comes in a range of colors and patterns. It typically has a matte or low-gloss finish and can be customized to create intricate designs and patterns.
    • 






    

  • Vinyl: Vinyl flooring is available in various designs, including wood, stone, tile, and abstract patterns. This technology can imitate the look of natural materials, complete with lifelike textures and shining, smooth finishes. 
    • 






3. Durability:





    

  • Linoleum: Linoleum is durable and can withstand moderate foot traffic. It’s less prone to scratches and gouges compared to vinyl.
    • 






    

  • Vinyl: Vinyl is, too, highly durable and can handle heavy foot traffic. It’s resistant to scratches and moisture, making it good foreign-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens. 
    • 











Image Asbestos 1910 3 article body
Casi todos los edificios construidos antes de mediados de la década de 1980 contenían productos y materiales de construcción de asbesto.
Image Asbestos 1910 2 article body










4. Installation:





    

  • Linoleum: Linoleum sheets are often glued down to the subfloor during installation, which can be time-consuming and may require professional help for proper installation.
    • 






    

  • Vinyl: Vinyl flooring includes various installation options, including glue-down, click-and-lock, and peel-and-stick. This variety makes vinyl easier to install for DIY enthusiasts. 
    • 






5. Maintenance:





    

  • Periodic sealing is required to maintain the protective layer and increase the lifespan of linoleum. Regular sweeping and damp mopping are effective ways to clean it easily.
    • 






    

  • Vinyl is a low-maintenance, stain-resistant material easily cleaned with regular sweeping and occasional mopping. It does not require any additional sealing. 
    • 






6. Environmental Impact:





    

  • Linoleum: Linoleum is often considered more environmentally friendly due to its natural composition and biodegradability. It’s made from renewable resources and produces fewer harmful emissions during production.
    • 




  • Vinyl: Vinyl has raised environmental concerns due to its production involving non-renewable resources and potential emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, advances in technology have led to more eco-friendly vinyl options. 
    • 






7. Cost:





    

  • Linoleum: Linoleum is generally more expensive than basic vinyl flooring options due to its natural composition and manufacturing process.
    • 




  • Vinyl: Homeowners on a budget often prefer vinyl flooring due to its affordability. It’s a popular choice for those looking for a cost-effective option.
    • 












    

        

            

                
                    

                        
                            
“Algunas fibras de asbesto pueden pasar por alto... las defensas naturales de su cuerpo... y alojarse en lo profundo de sus pulmones. Esas fibras pueden permanecer en su lugar durante mucho tiempo y es posible que nunca se eliminen”.

                            
Fuente: Asociación Americana del Pulmón


                        		
                    

                
            

        

    





























Asbestos in Flooring and Its Risks









El asbesto, a naturally occurring mineral, was widely used in construction materials due to its fireproofing and insulating properties. It was commonly mixed with other materials, including flooring products, to enhance their strength and durability. However, asbestos is composed of tiny fibers that can become airborne when disturbed, posing a severe health risk when inhaled. 





Inhaling these tiny fibers can lead to them becoming lodged in the lungs and other areas of the body, potentially resulting in severe health problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Due to the health risks linked to asbestos exposure, many countries have implemented strict regulations and even banned its use.










El asbesto no tiene sabor ni olor.





Es posible que no sepa que lo está respirando.





Image Asbestos Stonemasons2 article body


















Image Asbestos Linoleum article body













Asbestos in Linoleum Flooring









Older linoleum flooring, particularly that which was manufactured and installed before the 1980s, could contain asbestos. El asbesto was added to flooring materials to improve their strength and heat resistance. Vinyl tiles themselves typically didn’t contain asbestos, but the backing or adhesive used often had the harmful mineral. 





Identifying asbestos-containing linoleum can be challenging due to its invisible nature. Therefore, when dealing with older linoleum flooring, especially in buildings constructed before the 1980s, it’s recommended to take precautions and consider testing for asbestos before any renovations or removal.











    

        

            

                
                    

                        
                            
“Por lo general, quienes desarrollan enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto no muestran signos de enfermedad durante mucho tiempo después de la exposición”.

                            
Fuente: Instituto Nacional del Cáncer
 (NIH)2

                        		
                    

                
            

        

    























How to Identify Asbestos in Linoleum









Identifying asbestos in linoleum can be done through professional testing. Asbestos testing involves taking material samples and analyzing them in a specialized laboratory. DIY testing kits are available, but hiring a professional is generally recommended to ensure accurate results.





Several companies that manufacture linoleum and other flooring materials, such as Corporación Congoleum and Armstrong World Industries, have faced asbestos-related lawsuits due to their products. These lawsuits have led to establishment of asbestos trust funds to compensate those who suffered asbestos-related illnesses.










Several health studies have shown that the spouses of asbestos workers are at an elevated level of risk for asbestos illnesses like cáncer de pulmón.3 4 5 6





















Safe Removal of Asbestos-Containing Linoleum









If asbestos-containing linoleum needs to be removed, following proper safety procedures is crucial to minimize the risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos removal should only be done by trained and certified professionals who understand the necessary precautions. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials without proper protection can release dangerous fibers into the air, endangering the health of anyone nearby.











Más de $ 30 mil millones todavía están disponibles
(sin demandas. Sin tarifas a menos que reciba dinero. Sin riesgos).


Haga su reclamo.

Logo Asbestos Claims




































The Bottom Line on asbestos in old linoleum









While linoleum itself doesn’t inherently contain asbestos, older linoleum flooring, particularly in structures constructed before the 1980s, could have asbestos-containing backing or adhesive. When dealing with old linoleum flooring, it is essential to exercise caution due to the severe health hazards linked to asbestos exposure.









       
        
¿Califica usted para una compensación?

        
Descubra rápida y fácilmente cómo estuvo expuesto buscando en WARD, la base de datos de asbesto más grande del planeta.

        BÚSQUEDA GRATUITA > 
    














Professional testing and, if necessary, removal by certified experts are critical steps to ensure the safety of both occupants and workers. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult professionals to determine the presence of asbestos and take appropriate actions to mitigate potential risks.


























AsbestosClaims.Law









Asbestos claims aren’t just a day in the office for Justinian C. Lane. 





Son una misión.





En el pasado, los trabajadores expuestos al asbesto no sabían acerca de los peligros de la exposición al asbesto. Entre esos trabajadores estaban los abuelos de Justinian y su propio padre. 





Desafortunadamente, también se les mantuvo en la oscuridad acerca de las opciones de compensación disponibles para ellos, como las demandas por asbesto y los fondos fiduciarios. En sus últimos años, murieron de cánceres relacionados con el asbesto.  





Debido a que nadie en la familia de Justiniano conocía sus opciones, nunca recibieron compensación alguna por la muerte de sus seres queridos. 





Hoy, estamos trabajando para cambiar el rumbo. 





Puede haber una compensación significativa disponible para usted si ha contraído una enfermedad o lesión relacionada con el asbesto. Esto incluye tanto a los trabajadores como a los miembros de la familia que han estado expuestos.





La compensación es su clave para recibir el tratamiento médico que necesita, financiar los servicios de remoción de asbesto y mantener su bienestar físico. 





¿Quiere conocer una de las formas más rápidas y fáciles de recibir una compensación? Permítanos hablar con usted sobre las reclamaciones de fideicomiso de asbesto. Esta opción a menudo puede evitar demandas por completo.





Queremos escuchar su historia y, lo que es más importante, queremos redimirla. 





¿Necesita ayuda para presentar un reclamo? No hay problema, puede enviarnos un correo electrónico a [email protected].





¿Prefieres hablar por teléfono? Simplemente llámenos o envíenos un mensaje de texto al (206) 455-9190. 





No nos pagará ni un centavo a menos que reciba el dinero primero, por lo que no hay riesgo. 





Además de demandas legales, discapacidad de veteranos, seguridad social y protección del empleo como compensación de trabajadores, FELA y La ley de Jones para los trabajadores marítimos, hay fideicomisos de asbesto que se han establecido para indemnizar a los perjudicados por el asbesto sin tener que presentar una demanda.





Los peligros del asbesto solían ser un secreto guardado por la industria para evitar que personas como la familia de Justiniano sufrieran. Ya no. Te traemos la verdad.





Hemos creado numerosos recursos para ayudarlo a responder sus preguntas y brindarle la información que necesita saber y actuar. 





Nuestro sitio web tiene una gran cantidad de información dedicada a cosas como la salud y la seguridad, prueba de asbesto, asbestos removal, y información legal sobre la compensación por lesiones de asbesto.





¿Eres un aprendiz visual? ¡Ningún problema! 





Nuestro página de YouTube tiene infografías, una serie sobre la historia del asbesto y otros recursos útiles que puede consultar!





¿No está seguro de dónde o cuándo estuvo expuesto al asbesto? 

¡Deja que WARD te ayude!

La base de datos de investigación mundial sobre el asbesto (W.A.R.D) es la base de datos de información sobre el asbesto más grande, y punto. Si necesita respuestas relacionadas con ubicaciones específicas, productos o qué tipo de compensación puede estar disponible para usted debido a la exposición al asbesto, WARD es el lugar para comenzar.





Trabajar con nosotros es libre de riesgos. A menos que reciba dinero de compensación, ¡NO HAY HONORARIOS! Háblenos sobre litigios de asbesto hoy.



















Fuentes científicas:  Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Risk Exposure in Three Different Simulations., Zichella L, Baudana F, Zanetti G, Marini P., Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 20;18(4):2073. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18042073. PMID: 33672661; PMCID: PMC7924406.





1 Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH) Hoja informativa sobre asbesto.



2 Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH), Hoja informativa sobre asbesto.



3 Ferrante, D., Bertolotti, M., Todesco, A., Mirabelli, D., Terracini, B. and Magnani, C., 2007. Cancer mortality and incidence of mesothelioma in a cohort of wives of asbestos workers in Casale Monferrato, Italy. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(10), pp.1401-1405.



4 Miller, A., 2005. Mesothelioma in household members of asbestos‐exposed workers: 32 United States cases since 1990. American journal of industrial medicine, 47(5), pp.458-462.



5 Reid, A., Heyworth, J., De Klerk, N. and Musk, A.W., 2008. The mortality of women exposed environmentally and domestically to blue asbestos at Wittenoom, Western Australia. Occupational and environmental medicine, 65(11), pp.743-749.



6 İşten, B.H.S.T.O. and Maruziyetler, E.T., 2021. Exposures Moved from Work to Home as a Public Health Hazard.