Some sources assert that some Armstrong brand ceiling tiles may contain asbestos:

In this article series we discuss how to recognize & handle ceiling tiles that may contain asbestos.

We describe the appearance, ingredients, years of manufacture, history, and producers of various types of ceiling tiles & coverings as an aid in determining whether or not a particular ceiling covering or tile is likely to contain asbestos.

Do Boise Cascade Ceiling Tiles Contain Asbestos?

Question: Boise Cascade Winterfe? Ceiling Tiles 12,12" from 1971

In 1976 I became the 3rd occupant of a mid-1920s constructed bungalow style house.

The dining room & living room had ceiling tiles installed over plaster and lath in 1971. I have an original product box with several unused leftover tiles.

The tiles were produced by Boise Cascade.

The portion of the tiles’ name is missing; it is

Winterfe__, Decorator Tile, 23222, ½” x 12” x 12”, 64 sq. ft. 64 pcs., Green and White, Flanged T & G Joint.

- Anonymous by private email 2017/09/11

Reply:

Asbestos was used in some building products sold by Boise Cascade, though its principal product ingredient was cellulose - wood or wood fibre. A Boise Cascade paper mill in Boise Idaho is listed by some sources (typically mesothelioma lawyer websites) as a jobsite where employees were likely to have been exposed to asbestos materials.

The company's asbestos products included gaskets and asbestos sheets used in a variety of applications. Even if a product were intended to be 100% wood fibre, **IF** it was produced in the same plant or same site where asbestos was stored, handled, or used, it might be possible that there was some asbestos particle or dust cross-contamination.

For this reason I expect that few people would provide a guarantee that such products are absolutely asbestos free, even if the probability of an actual hazard is close to nil.

I'm left having to suggest that if you have to make a dusty demolition of suspect material it's worth the $40. or $50. to have a lab test a representative sample of the material.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST if you need to take that step, and if you do, please keep me informed as what you learn will help others.

(Mar 25, 2017) Don said: Asbestos in Boise Cascade Insulite Ceiling Tile,?

I have a home with a type of fiber ceiling tiles in it, I recently found a leftover box of the tiles stored in a garage attic.

The box is Boise Cascade Insulite Ceiling Tile, the paperwork/ instructions in the box were printed in 1967, any idea as to the composition of these tiles?

Thanks, Don

Reply:

Don

I don't know, Please use the page top or bottom contact link to send me some sharp photos of the ceiling tiles (both sides) and all sides of the box itself - I'll research the question regardless but the photos would be most-helpful.

Asbestos was used in some building products sold by Boise Cascade, though its principal product ingredient was cellulose - wood or wood fibre.

Insulite was a registered trademark of the Boise Cascade Corporation registered in 1975. The name "Insulite" has a much longer history, appearing in patents as early as 1920 - the Insulite Co. Wall Construction, who produced wallboard out of fibrous waste material. The word "Asbestos" does not appear in the patent disclosures that I reviewed.

• Downing, John G. "Knockdown display." U.S. Patent 3,571,999, issued March 23, 1971.
• French Jack W, Heffley Howard H, Lewanski Richard M, Modry Richard E, "Curtain coating apparatus." U.S. Patent 3,404,658, issued October 8, 1968.

The description provided to the US Patent Office for for "insulite" was primed siding; soffit-facia system-namely, soffit-facia panels and metal accessories, for use in house cornice and rake sections; acoustical ceiling tile;

decorator ceiling tile; grid ceiling panels; luminous and grilled vent grid ceiling panels;

mineral acoustical tile and grid ceiling panels; suspended grid and fire-rated grid ceiling systems comprising panels, framing members and supporting members therefore;

sound deadening board; vinyl coated siding; colored siding; and textured siding.

I'm researching the company's Celotine mineral fiber ceiling tiles, so far with no indication that the company produced a product with that name.

Comments:

(Mar 13, 2015) Sergio Freddson said:
This is a very thorough article! I never realized asbestos was so common in residential homes. I guess I just always assumed it was used more often in commercial buildings. I'll have to double check a few areas in my home for asbestos tiles. Thank you for your advice!

Reply:

Generally asbestos-containing materials such as ceiling tiles are safest left alone and in-place unless the material is damaged, falling down, shedding, leaving debris that can be tracked through a home or otherwise made airborne.

It's ok to paint over, encapsulate, seal, or cover-over such materials if occupants prefer. Unnecessary removal is actually more likely to be hazardous than leaving the material alone.

...

Continue reading  at ASBESTOS CEILING TILE REMOVAL PROCEDURES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

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• ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST - certified asbestos testing labs

Suggested citation for this web page

BOISE CASCADE CEILING TILES at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

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