Identify Asbestos Insulation In Attic

A common form of asbestos insulation found in older buildings is an asbestos based corrugated paper insulating wrap used on pipes.

Identify asbestos insulation in attic.

Look in your attic for loose fill asbestos. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Asbestos insulation can also look like a cardboard covering. Concerns about asbestos contaminated vermiculite insulation a mine near libby montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the united states from 1919 to 1990.

Properly identifying asbestos insulation can help you avoid some serious health problems in the future. This type of insulation was usually used on steam heating pipes between 1910 and 1980. There is one primary source of asbestos attic insulation. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine so the vermiculite from libby was contaminated with asbestos.

Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. Step 4 positive identification of asbestos can only be obtained using polarizing light microscopy which is only available from a laboratory certified by the environmental protection agency. The small fibers that come off of asbestos can kill you. There are other sources of asbestos in attic insulation but this single source significantly outpaces the others 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.

Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Asbestos has been directly linked to causing mesothelioma and lung cancer as a result of breathing it in. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with gardening for loosening soil.

2 check the underside of your roof for a white or gray rough coating. 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. 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 insulation found in buildings above.

Asbestos spray coating was a commonly used way to insulate a roof and sometimes the sides of buildings. See details about actual building insulation made of or contaminated with asbestos discussed at asbestos building insulation. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos.