Expert: Emilian TRAISTA - 11/10/2007

Question
My library would like to replace the carpet that's on the floor with new carpet. Under the carpet are tiles that pop up with little resetence, the building specks [1955] states the tile is asphalt tiles but we're concerned if this is indeed asbestos tiles.
We ripped up a very small corner of the carpet to see and noticed they are very brittle.
Is there away we can find out which one [asphalt or abestos] the tiles are?

Answer
One of the major differences between bitumen and asphalt is that the first (bitumen) melts and burns, while the second (asbestos) doesn't. Asbestos is mainly used as a fireproof material.

I suggest two ways to identify the material:
Take a small piece of the tile.
1. put it in chloroform or benzene. If the material dissolves, then it contains bitumen.
2. put it on a plate over a heating source. If melts (at 37-40 Celsius) then it is bitumen.

Please take precautions: both materials are dangerous: the first (bitumen) can burn you, while the second (asbestos) is very dangerous to your lungs.