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Asbestos vinyl flooring, such as Linoleum™, typically has a coating of asbestos on the bottom and was widely used in homes and commercial buildings until the 1960s. Experts say that if it is left alone, asbestos flooring poses the lowest level of asbestos risk, although cutting, scraping, or otherwise damaging asbestos flooring can create dust containing asbestos fibers.
Asbestos was commonly used in the manufacturing of the “popcorn” or “cottage cheese” ceiling texturing material until 1978 when it was banned. Many of these ceilings are still around, though. This form of asbestos is generally considered safe as long as it is not scraped, damaged, or otherwise broken loose to allow asbestos fibers to be released into the air. Most of these ceilings have been painted by now, which means that the asbestos is encapsulated and, therefore, typically safe. We suggest that if you paint your popcorn ceilings, spray-paint them rather than brushing or rolling in order to prevent damage. If you are going to remove the material, have it tested before proceeding. If it does contain asbestos, we recommend consulting the testing company for removal recommendations. |
Asbestos can also be found in some types of attic insulation and some types of ceiling acoustic tiles, as well as many other places depending on when the home was built.
Another common area where asbestos still exists in our homes is as insulation on exhaust flues on forced air furnaces (typically in the basement or attic) and water heaters. 
Possible asbestos insulation on furnace exhaust flue in attic. |
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