Asbestos Insulation In Attic
The unfortunate side effects of exposure to asbestos include things as benign as a skin irritation to conditions as severe as lung cancer.
Asbestos insulation in attic. If you do not go into your attic handle or disturb the insulation it is likely that you will not be exposed to asbestos fibers from vermiculite insulation. Asbestos is dangerous because it contains what is known as fibrous crystals. Asbestos attic insulation may be one of the worst possible kinds to have in a home these days. Asbestos was incorporated in the insulation of different types including attic insulation.
Look for loose fibers between your walls and in your ceilings. Loose fill insulation is designed to be poured onto attic floors or blown into hollow. Inspect for asbestos insulation if you plan to remodel. You may also find thousands of loose particles within walls or under attic flooring.
However there are loose fill wall and attic insulation which can contain asbestos. If your attic or wall insulation is in batt or blanket form whether it s fiberglass cellulose or another material you. These fibers consist of millions of microscopic fibrils. Types of asbestos insulation loose fill asbestos insulation.
How to identify dangerous asbestos insulation. Asbestos attic insulation is common in older homes as asbestos was inexpensive and an effective insulation. Insulation coverings for pipes ducts and other plumbing and hvac components in old. With many homes from that era still standing it is no surprise to run into asbestos in some capacity.
These are thin visible fibers. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. How to identify asbestos insulation method 1 of 3. Knowing when to inspect for asbestos insulation.
If you re insulation is the batt style insulation as the loose fill insulation has the higher risk as it s loosely poured into wall or joist cavities. Several years ago asbestos was commonly used in everything from shingles to floor tiles and asbestos insulation was used in many homes that were built in the 1950s and 1960s.