Black tar like edging on old floorboards....

[rolo5]

A while ago i sanded the floorboards in an old property built in the victorian era.
Around the edge of the floorboards was a wide black edging of paint or a tar-like substance that was very hard to remove. I eventually removed most of it and varnished the floor.
I was reading about the presence of asbestos in some bitumen based products used as lino or carpet adhesive, so i am a bit concerned that i have exposed myself to asbestos whilst sanding the floor.
However, i have also seen on some websites that a thick black edging was the norm in victorian houses and may have been a a thick paint rather than bitumen.
Anybody encountered this?

 

[mac391]

Probably a thick paint that is "lead based" hope you wore your mask.. not quite lethal but still unhealthy.. Very common if victorian housing.

 

[jonjoseph]

This old topic is current with me. I wasted a lot of energy sanding off this black stuff. There is still plenty left. I clogged up about ten coarse discs with it. Trying to be more scientific I tested the hot air gun on low setting and it really is easy to remove. The low setting will not scorch wood after removing paint. But I read yesterday that Coal Tar paint --which this might be --is a class 1 Carcinogenic . So warming it up may not be such a good idea . Also the Historic Renovation people still seem to use this kind of paint. So there`s a few interesting possibilities to sort out .It may be safe . Depends what it really is but sanding off is just as bad as warming it up . Maybe keep the windows open and use a fan blowing it away would be best .