The good news is that if you had to choose the safest place to get stuck with asbestos, it’d be in the flooring tile. Asbestos is only dangerous if it’s airborne, and it is harder for the asbestos to become airborne when it’s trapped under your floor. [2] X Research source

Mastic flooring glues were thinner than other flooring adhesives, which made them easier to spread on to bigger tiles. They were also manufactured by the same company that made these kinds of tiles, so many of them were installed with this type of mastic.

If your tiles are thicker, you may not be able to see any discoloration.

If the subfloor is made of concrete, it may look like a mix of black and gray since some of the subfloor may not have been originally covered.

This will not be true of mastic that has been exposed to the open air for some time though, since the mastic will dry out and lose a little bit of the shine. If you want to touch a surface that you suspect to be asbestos, wear rubber gloves.

It’s a good idea to have an accredited asbestos inspector gather samples to avoid contamination. For example, in older buildings, a thorough inspection of asbestos should be performed to make sure that the particles haven’t been released into the environment. This testing can be done through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM). However, the first option is more precise because it can detect a greater range of asbestos particle sizes.

You may be required to drop the sample off yourself depending on where you live. In some states, it’s illegal to ship asbestos. In most countries and states though, it’s legal to ship asbestos in small amounts and in specially-marked containers. These kits typically cost $20-60 each. The lab tests typically run $100-250. There are DIY kits that supposedly allow you to determine whether or not a material is made of asbestos on the spot. These kits don’t tend to be very accurate though, and they often can’t test mastic adhesive anyway. Testing for asbestos on your own isn’t recommended, since asbestos particle inhalation always remains a risk.

Respirators with P1 or P2 filter cartridges will work with asbestos. Any respirator with a purple HEPA filter will work as well. It is extremely important that you take the proper steps to protect yourself from asbestos.

The spray bottle will make it easy to knock down any dust while you’re removing a sample.

If you have a fan on in the room, turn that off as well.

Opt to cut a corner out to avoid the number of cuts you have to make.

Make sure that you cut out the entire tile and don’t simply cut the outer layer of your flooring off. Spray the area with your nondominant hand 3-4 times while you’re removing the tile. This will knock some of the dust down and keep it from coming up into the air.

Drop the sample off at the lab or ship it depending on your manufacturer’s instructions and the legality of shipping asbestos where you live.

You can also paint over the asbestos with a thick oil-based paint to seal the fibers into the floor.

It is extremely dangerous for you to remove the asbestos yourself, so have a licensed professional do it for you. [16] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source