The panels measure about 2’ x 4’ and were installed in the early 1970’s under carpet. The material is similar in color to a transite pipe. Is anyone familiar with this material? And is it likely to contain asbestos?
It could but who knows unless you have packaging laying around with these tiles in it. Or you would need to have it tested. Was it damaged or in good condition?
Yup.
Soak it down first if removing but looks suspect and caution might be to test.
I assume someone just removed a linoleum sheeting from on top.
Most likely and best if tested for confirmation.
I used that product in that circa.
Transite originated as trade name that The Johns-Manville Corporation created for a line of asbestos-cement products, including boards and pipes. In time it became something of a generic term for other companies’ similar asbestos-cement products, and later an even more generic term for a hard, fireproof composite material, fiber cement boards, typically using in wall construction.
The use of asbestos to manufacture transite was phased out in the 1980s. Previously transite was made of cement, with varying amounts (12-50%) of asbestos fiber to provide tensile strength (similar to the steel in reinforced concrete), and other materials. It was frequently used for such purposes as furnace flues, shingles, siding, and wallboard for areas where fire retardancy is particularly important. It was also used in walk-in coolers made in large supermarkets in the 1960s, 1970s and even the 1980s. Other uses included roof drain piping, water piping, sanitary sewer drain piping, and HVAC ducts. Because cutting, breaking, and machining asbestos-containing transite releases carcinogenic asbestos fibers into the air, its use has fallen out of favor.
This was in a house built in the 1960’s and the product was installed at the upstairs room addition beneath the carpet. I recommended testing to be safe.
Good call, I would have done the same, even knowing it is . 