Sure, it is absolutely safe to use those tiles. The asbestos is in the matrix of the tile. Having said that, you just introduced a potential headache ($$$) when it comes time to redo the floor or when you go to sell the house. The asbestos will have to be removed by professionals so, it will be costly for you or, if you go to sell, having asbestos in the house could affect your selling price or result in an offer being retracted.

The asbestos is safe now. However, if the tiles start to wear or chip, they will release small amounts of asbestos. Plus the cost issue of eventual removal. I don't think it's worth the risk, personally.

As someone who has gone through the expensive and stressful process of removing Asbestos from my house (Australia) I cannot for the life of me imagine why anyone would willingly install it in their home. Surely there's something else on the market you could use that's not a KNOWN carcinogen.

Paul in Ottawa is right -we have lovely old 8x8 asbestos tiles at my work, and they are safe until they break (e.g. are removed or something heavy lands on them the wrong way). And I agree that they might lower your resale value.

Could you place them temporarily so you could remove them without having to break them out when the time comes? I'm thinking about the sticky tape for FLOR carpet tiles.

I have the same tiles in my apartment, covered by carpeting because they cannot be removed per board's rules. There was also asbestos in the adhesive so scraping releases the dust which is the real problem when inhaled.

You'd have to remove them before selling, and building code rules in your area may require a certified Hazmat remover which can be really expensive. Food for thought.

I had the same tiles in my condo. The condo was built in 1968 in Chicago, home of Montgomery Ward. They are not asbestos. They are asphalt. However, you will need a lab test to confirm this fact. Do a few web searches and you can find a lab to send a small sample of one tile and get a complete report. If you do put the tiles down SAVE THAT REPORT as every home inspector will jump to the conclusion that you have asbestos not asphalt tiles. They do make reproductions of those prints in natural new linoleum in 12" by 12" format and that would save you a lot of headaches and explaining down the road. Everytime anyone in the building has a home inspection or contractor in we get the same speech about the dangers of asbestos and even the buildings orginal papers showing the material to be asphalt are not acceptable to most people. The lab test have always proven them not to be asbestos but it causes lots of problems. Most people get them taken up illegally because of the hassles.

If you like a vintage look think about linoleum. It is completely safe, a friend installed a black and white checker pattern in her kitchen and it is very good-looking and easy to keep clean.

We recently found a treasure trove of Armstrong VCT tiles - very retro-ish - at a Habitat Restore and snapped them up. Gorgeous colors with flecks, spent about $95 for enough for kitchen, two bathrooms, and my husband used the red ones to make our new countertops. Maybe you can keep looking and find these.

During a renovation of a historic property a few years ago, I was sure I had asbestos in tiles and probably siding, so I had several samples tested by a local laboratory. The results were negative, to my surprise, and what a relief! Why not have a tile tested to be sure you know what you're dealing with? Do an internet search for a lab in your area. Tests are generally inexpensive and quick. Good luck!

Molly has a point, you could always have them tested. But then you'd be out the funds if they did come back with Asbestos. They sound super-cool though, why not go with the similar-looking REAL linoleum? http://www.ecowise.com/index.php?cPath=21_29_116

I know that certain sizes of tile typically contain asbestos. But you can't be for sure, until you have them tested. As others have mentioned, the tiles are technically 'safe' until they start to crack and flake. But if you ever plan on selling your home, having tiles that look that they contain asbestos or look like they do, could deter buyers.

I have a 1960's house and the tile on the bottom floor is original to the house. I got one of the DIY asbestos test kits online - but you may be able to find them at a local home improvement store. The kit itself is $10 - 15. But all it really is is a form, a plastic bag, gloves, and instructions on how to sample the tile. You then send the sample to a test lab and it's an extra $30 or so for the test. Thankfully, it turns out my tiles didn't contain asbestos.

Have them tested first.

Once you know... if they are asbestos, don't even think about installing. I know many architects and contractors who have passed away from complications of being exposed to asbestos in buildings. It is incredibly dangerous and silly to toy with. Plus, as others have stated, you may not be able to legally sell the home with them installed depending on your local regulations and hiring anyone to abate them without proper removal certifications can be illegal, not to mention pretty ethically awful to endanger someone else's life.

Totally look at linoleum or recycled rubber which are durable, renewable materials that are naturally anti-bacterial and fairly cost effective. A few places to start: http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/products/linoleum or http://www.forbo-flooring.us/Residential-Flooring/

Avoid VCT. Vinyl is never a healthy thing either to introduce into a home.

Even if they aren't asbestos, people will suspect that they are, and you'll be dealing with the hassle of contractors, inspectors, possible future buyers, etc suspecting (and dinging you financially) for asbestos. So not worth it.

DO NOT INSTALL THESE TILES!! If you even suspect they are asbestos, have them disposed of. In my line of work I come across plenty of information regarding the use of these tiles. The argument that the asbestos fibers are encapsulated and therefore safe is only true in theory. Regular handling as well as the installation causes the asbestos fibers to become friable. Not even mentioning the act of cutting these tiles for installation, 50 years of banging around in the box has released enough dust to cause these to be dangerous. And when you do install them, and have to scour and snap them, they will release enough dust to be dangerous. Get new tiles.

Really curious about all the comments that contractors and inspectors will create a fuss over these tiles, knowing or suspecting that they are asbestos.

We have asbestos tiles in our basement (and they are not in good condition - we are hoping to have them removed or covered over sometime in the near future). Our home inspector never mentioned a thing about them when we were buying the home and we had various contractors and home improvement workers in and out of the house over the past year and no one has commented on them. When I did some online research on the subject I found a home inspectors forum where advice was given not to bring up the possibility of the tiles being asbestos, because the inspector has no way to know for sure without doing a test. I certainly wish our inspector had at least made us aware that it was a possibility, but what's done is done.

Another forum I found said that tiles containing asbestos are still sold in the US today, legally. Out of any asbestos product found in homes, there seems to be the least consensus about whether or not these tiles are dangerous. I would never knowingly install them in my home, though.

I work for a flooring warehouse, distribution & installation company and I can tell you that it's not worth it to install these tiles! Everyone is so afraid of asbestos that it's simply not worth it. If you're dedicated to putting them somewhere, why not make a "rug" of them? Simply adhere to thin luan and pit where you like without installing permanently.
@sslong - no reputable company in the U.S. is selling ANY flooring product that contains asbestos. If you visit the EPA website (www.epa.gov) you will see why.

It's amazing that people get more feaked out about floor tiles than the smart phones and they use all day. We all grew up with these tiles in our homes, schools, and public buildings- yet mesothelioma- last time I checked- was not the number one cause of death in the US. By the way- also released into the atmoshpere by cars, trucks and busses in the past- and still today. I don't advocate crazy risk taking- but I bet 10 years from now people will have moved on to something else.

I am surprised they are trying to sell them.

They *are* dangerous for the person who removes them. Not worth the hassle. Again, I'm surprised they are trying to sell them Isn't lead paint illegal to sell? Just looking for a parallel comparison.

It seems a bit ridiculous that anyone would want to install something even suspected of containing asbestos.

Can't you frame it somehow instead? Use it as art and keep it inside a case perhaps.