Blown Attic Insulation Asbestos

If your attic or wall insulation is in batt or blanket form whether it s fiberglass cellulose or another material you generally don t have to be concerned about asbestos.

Blown attic insulation asbestos.

Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. That is the loose granular insulation called vermiculite. Asbestos can be found in the insulation used in walls attics the materials around plumbing and pipes electrical wiring as well as on heating and air conditioning units. Fiberglass and cellulose are the most common insulation installed in residential attics today.

Blown in insulation helped reduced electric bills but also generated a risk for the families who lived in them as asbestos was often used to make the insulation flame retardant. There are many different kinds of wool like insulation that are man made and do not have asbestos but if your attic insulation looks like wool than it is best to be safe and have it tested by a professional. See this article on vermiculite and asbestos for more information. The primary source of asbestos attic insulation is from a specific mine in montana operated for 70 years by the libby company according to the environmental protection agency.

In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with gardening for loosening soil. Step 1 determine the age of your house. If your home was built before 1990 and you have vermiculite insulation or if your house was built prior to 1970 it s likely that you have some form of asbestos in your attic or elsewhere. One of the most harmful insulation materials asbestos continues to cover attic floors in many older homes.

The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. In the late 1970s it became evident that asbestos fibers were very dangerous. Used for fireproofing and insulation asbestos was a cheap and effective material that became an industry standard for buildings across the country.

Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. The small fibers that come off of asbestos can kill you. Other insulation materials in use in the 1970s include vermiculite which can also be. If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos.

There is one type of older insulation that has a significant possibility of being contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Asbestos has been linked to a variety of serious health conditions. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos.