Asbestos tiles are affordable yet they can give you the risk of getting lung cancer and other diseases. I would rather go with clay tiles because those are nice and they are better for you since they are more natural.
No. There is no market for asbestos-containing tiles.
Yes, asbestos mastic (glue) under the tiles. ceiling or floor tiles?
Asbestos turned into a common additive in ceiling remedies. The mineral become regularly used in ceiling tiles and paper backing for the tiles. a few adhesives used to affix ceiling tiles together, which include mastic, additionally contained asbestos. Even in older houses that don't have ceiling tiles, ceilings may additionally still comprise asbestos.
One cannot purchase asbestos ceiling tiles currently. Because asbestos has shown to be harmful to the health of people, products containing asbestos are no longer sold.
When they are damaged or disturbed
Most areas will have by-laws about covering asbestos.
Anything items covered with asbestos material are dangerous. But when the items covered with asbestos -- tiles, ductwork, edging, joint connectors on ductwork-- become cracked, the asbestos dust is especially dangerous. Or, when contractors demolish or renovate a building containing asbestos, it will get in the air.
Yes. In some but not in all. It is also found in the glue that hold the tiles to the floor.
The only way to definitively determine if old tiles contain asbestos is to have them tested by a certified asbestos inspector. Asbestos was commonly used in tiles before the 1980s, so if your tiles were installed before then, there is a higher likelihood of them containing asbestos. However, visual inspection alone is not enough to confirm the presence of asbestos.
In older materials you might find asbestos in:boiler insulating materialceiling tilesfloor tiles and mastic (the glue holding the tiles to the floor)Acousical plasterPipe and ventilation duct insulationroofing and masticWall texturesGaskets
If the tiles are 9"x9" assume they are asbestos. Never sand, scrape, pulverize, or agitate existing VAT, or VCT. You can pick them up off the floor if they are dislodged without worry, but I know you can have them tested to be sure
The benefits of vinyl floor tiles is that they are easy to clean and they are very durable. If you spill anything on the floor, you can easily wipe it up or mop it up.