Does Terrazzo Contain Asbestos and is it
dangerous to restore or maintain?
By Frederick M. Hueston, Stone Forensics
There are millions of square feet of terrazzo floors throughout
the US and the world. I have had several calls in recent year from terrazzo
refinishing contractors that are concerned with asbestos exposure when working
with terrazzo. The following explains the dangers as well as how to safely
restore and maintain terrazzo
Asbestos Exposure
First lets take a look at what asbestos is and how one
becomes exposed.
When asbestos fibers as small as a human hair become
airborne, asbestos exposure occurs. The hazardous mineral dust can linger in
the air for hours, posing a risk to anyone nearby who breathes it in or
consumes it.
Asbestos fibers may take 48 to 72 hours to settle in a
setting with few disturbances. The dust is so light that if it is disturbed, it
can readily become airborne once more.
Asbestos exposure in Terrazzo
Terrazzo that was poured before the 1980’s may contain
asbestos and for this reason it is recommended that it be tested for asbestos
before any abrasives are used on it.
Even though the abrasives are used wet it can still produce asbestos
fibers in the air. It is still possible to grind and hone asbestos containing
terrazzo but will require the services of an asbestos abatement company. This
will involve workers wearing fully equipped hazmat suits and will also require
the area to be sealed off as well as the use of HEPA filter vacuums etc.
Maintenance of Asbestos Containing
Terrazzo
Maintaining a terrazzo floor that contains asbestos is
another story and as long as no abrasives are used, maintenance is simple and won’t
expose you or anyone to these harmful fibers.
If a floor finish is used it serves to contain the asbestos, however the
current trend in terrazzo refinishing is to place a highly reflective shine on
the floor though diamond abrasives. If this is the case than asbestos abatement
practices will be necessary. Once the
terrazzo is polished or a coating is placed on it the following maintenance
program will be applicable:
Daily Maintenance
The three most important tasks that can be
done on a daily basis to keep the terrazzo looking new and extending the time
before restoration is required are: Dust Mop, Dust Mop and Dust Mop. The most destructive material to most terrazzo
is sand, dirt and miscellaneous grit. If
these substances could be eliminated, maintenance of the terrazzo would be
almost non-existent. A terrazzo floor
can never be dust mopped too often. Use
a clean, non-treated, dry dust mop at least two to three times a day in high
traffic areas and less often in low traffic areas. Walk off mats placed outside and inside an
entrance will also eliminate a good portion of sand, dirt and grit. It takes approximately seven steps to remove
all loose dirt from the bottom of ones shoes. Walk off mats also need to be
removed and cleaned daily. Keep this in mind when purchasing walk off
mats. Remember if sand, dirt and grit
are eliminated there will be nothing left behind to scratch and dull the terrazzo.
This will also keep any abrasive grit from releasing asbestos into the air.
Cleaning
All terrazzo, both polished and unpolished
should be cleaned daily in high traffic areas and less often in lower traffic
areas. A clean rayon or cotton string
mop should be used with cold to warm water with the addition of a quality Green
Approved neutral cleaner or stone soap. Approved Green Neutral cleaners are
defined as surfactant type detergents that have a Ph of 7. Acidic and alkaline cleaners should not be
used. Be sure to follow the directions
very carefully.
If the area is large an auto scrubber can
also be used with the same neutral cleaner and a soft brush or pad.
Maintaining Terrazzo that contains
asbestos is simple and top rule to follow is to avoid any abrasives.
Frederick M. Hueston
Stone Forensics
E-Mail: Fhueston@stoneforensics.com
Web Site: www.stoneforensics.com
https://www.asbestos.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/asbestos-flooring.pdf?v=1553738546
https://www.colorado.edu/ehs/sites/default/files/attached-files/cu_asbestos_om_program_.pdf
https://facilities.uw.edu/partner-resources/files/media/asbestos-om.pdf
https://afd.calpoly.edu/ehs/docs/asbc_97a.pdf
https://allthingsflooring.com/2018/04/asbestos-safety/
https://www.asbestos.com/wp-content/uploads/Asbestos-Guide-by-The-Mesothelioma-Center.pdf
