Asbestos Blown In Attic Insulation

Asbestos insulation was widely used as an insulation material in most residential commercial and public buildings constructed between 1920 and 1986.

Asbestos blown in attic 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. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. Fluffy loose fill asbestos insulation sometimes made almost entirely of the toxic mineral is extremely dangerous because even a slight air current can disturb it sending inhalable asbestos fibers into the air. It was very versatile affordable and it could be used in tiles and blow it with another material vermiculite.

Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. However there are loose fill wall and attic insulation which can contain asbestos. Asbestos will not kill you immediately but it is similar to smoking cigarettes. Loose fill insulation is designed to be poured onto attic floors or blown into hollow spaces inside walls and other building structures.

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. Asbestos if disturbed can release microscopic fibers that get down into your lungs. With asbestos still being used as a very commonly used fire retardant and a very popular insulator right until the end of the 1980 s. You may also find thousands of loose particles within walls or under attic flooring.

In the late 1970s it became evident that asbestos fibers were very dangerous. Differences between asbestos and cellulose insulation. Vermiculite in and of itself is not dangerous. Asbestos has been linked to a variety of serious health conditions.

It will take a long period of time to make a difference. 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. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. Although asbestos is currently banned as an insulating material in many countries buildings that were built before 1980 may still contain insulation with asbestos.

The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite. If you have damaged insulation you plan to remodel your building or you suspect your insulation may contain asbestos you need to contact an asbestos professional that is certified to remove and dispose of the material. When you are ready to look at the insulation make sure that you wear protective clothing. It was used in construction materials including roofing materials asphalt shingles roofing felt adhesives putty caulking and patching materials.