Linoleum Floor Tiles Asbestos. Removing old linoleum or sheet vinyl flooring may expose the asbestos backing and release fibers. Asbestos is a toxic mineral which used to be employed on a large scale as a component in construction materials.
Tiles that are disintegrating should be. Sheet vinyl flooring also commonly contained asbestos backing. If the floor is true linoleum, damage does not present a danger of asbestos inhalation unless it extends all the way to the subfloor and exposes the mastic, which may contain asbestos.
Printing on the reverse side of linoleum tiles often provides a homeowner with information regarding whether the linoleum contains asbestos.
About.com warns that flooring with manufacture dates from 1952 to 1986 likely contains asbestos. Needless to say, nor did my daughter's 23 year old boyfriend. If the floor is true linoleum, damage does not present a danger of asbestos inhalation unless it extends all the way to the subfloor and exposes the mastic, which may contain asbestos. Check older linoleum for asbestos.