There  are two scary things about “legacy” asbestos: firstly during its golden age-1950’s and 60’s because it was so cheap and plentiful, they stuck anywhere and everywhere whether they needed it or not. I don’t think they looked at how much they were putting in either. Each manufacturer, did it their way so it could be a bit or a lot, nobody kept records no certificate of conformity or ISO standards then. Secondly you can’t really tell if something is asbestos unless you have it tested. It might look ok asbestos free, but you can’t tell just by looking.

The figure quoted in the original post for 80-100% asbestos content in the backing to vinyl sheet flooring appears to be correct.  Apparently, this type of flooring had an asbestos paper backing.  According to a 1988 publication Asbestos in Buildings, (published by the Department of the Environment), Annex 1 states that Thermoplastic floor tiles contained "Up to 25% asbestos", PVC vinyl floor tiles and unbacked PVC flooring "Normally less than 10% chrysotile", and asbestos paper backed PVC floors "Paper backing approximately 100% chrysotile asbestos."

Whether the percentage asbestos content in these products, or the type of asbestos used, changed over time is not stated within the publication.

Being an old codger, I do remember the old lino! I remember it was constructed on a hessian backing similar to carpets, the top was a number of layers of a fabric (similar to canvas or sail cloth) which was then coated to consolidate it then printed with a pattern.  I would think that if there was asbestos present it would have layered with the fabric so there could have been a significant amount as it came in large rolled sheets about the same size as carpets come today.  Hope this helps

Originally Posted by: bill4000

Hi All. Doing a bit of research at the moment and I wanted to gauge if anyone has got a rough (ie very rough) of how much (%) Chrysotile was used in the backing of 1950s to 1980s vinyl sheet linoleum. The reason for my asking is that seen one article reference 80 to 100 % chrysotile was used (which seems very unrealisic) and also seen research quoting figures as low as (5 to 20%). Just to be clear, this is for the "backing" to the sheet linoleum, and not the top viynl surface. Any guideance from analyists or other OH's is appreciated. william

Why would you think that a 80 - 100% content for asbestos backing is unrealistic. 

If you have articles tested you will be suprised as to teh content, cement sheets can have white, brown and blue with varying contenets. As previously stated the only way to be sure is to test.