Founded by Arthur Kennedy in Brooklyn, NY in 1898, Kentile Floors was a popular manufacturer of floor tiles. The company's plant, easily recognizable by the large purple neon sign that towered over its Brooklyn plant, claimed to be the home of "America's largest manufacturer of super-resilient floor tile."

Known for the bold patterns it produced on its vinyl tiles, Kentile and its floors became a hit nationwide. The company's "Crystalite Vinyl" tiles were especially popular in the 1950s and 1960s.

Kentile Floors and Asbestos

Unfortunately, Kentile Floors often contained asbestos that could harm the homeowner and anyone else who came in contact with the vinyl tiles. Such a toxic material was used in floor and ceiling tiles because it contributed to both durability fire-resistance. Vinyl-asbestos floor tiles may have contained as much as 25 percent asbestos, making them extremely toxic.

When intact, the tiles Kentile made were generally not hazardous. However, if they were cut to fit a certain application or damaged during installation or removal, they could easily emit dangerous asbestos fibers. If these fibers were inhaled, several different forms of asbestos-related disease could develop, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

By 1992, Kentile Floors was facing tens of thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits. Later that year, the company filed bankruptcy. As with most companies that declare bankruptcy, the owners of Kentile hoped to reorganize and save the company, but attempts to do so failed. The company was also unable to organize a trust fund to compensate those who had filed asbestos claims. Kentile Floors closed permanently a few years later.

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease as a result of working for Kentile Floors or working with any of the company's products and would like to learn more about treatment options or financial assistance to help pay for medical costs, please fill out the form on this page to receive a comprehensive packet in the mail.

Two must read books for anyone who has or who is caring for someone with mesothelioma.

Get a Free Copy of Lean on Me or 100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma.

Asbestos.com has experienced navy veterans on staff to assist veterans in answering questions about applying for asbestos-related VA Claims and other benefits.

*Asbestos.com is not affiliated with the
U.S. Department. of Veterans Affairs.

Naval Ships Index
Search through our extensive list of ships that used asbestos-containing products.
(e.g. USS Alabama BB 60)

Get matched with the top mesothelioma specialists in your area.

Learn what foods to eat, which to avoid, and the best supplements for the fight against cancer and chemotherapy recovery.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Worries Other Family Members
07/28/2010 - An Ireland man fighting mesothelioma cancer has commented on his family's ongoing struggle with asbestos exposure, which initially began with asbestos..
Mesothelioma-Causing Asbestos May be Banned in the United States
07/27/2010 - According to a recent report, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has plans to phase out the use of asbestos within the next decade. Lin Chie..
Researchers Study Cancer Stem Cells as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma
07/26/2010 - In a study published in the International Journal of Oncology, Cortes-Dericks and colleagues tested whether cancer stem cells in malignant pleural mes..