Does Attic Insulation Have Asbestos

If you remove or disturb the insulation it is probable that you may inhale some asbestos fibers the degree of health risk depends on how much and how often this occurred.

Does attic insulation have asbestos.

If a close inspection indicates this puffy gray material lacks no minerals but appears like gray shredded paper it means that your cellulose insulation doesn t have asbestos and is safe for insulation into your attic. Fiberglass and cellulose are the most common insulation installed in residential attics today. 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. Although it is a different insulator there are similar issues with vermiculite attic insulation as it is a very difficult proposition to see whether asbestos is contained within.

If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos. Grace and company in the 1960s and 1970s. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. You may also find thousands of loose particles within walls or under attic flooring.

The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. 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. Finally you may have attic insulation containing asbestos if it lies flat in the joist cavities and does not puff up like snow. 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.

Another indicator is the referenced particles also have an accordion like look or texture. Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. Zonolite is a type of loose fill insulation made of heat expanded vermiculite and it was installed as attic insulation in millions of american homes. 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.

Zonolite insulation one of the most notorious insulation products that caused asbestos exposure is zonolite insulation which was manufactured by w r. Other than vermiculite it s actually quite rare to find thermal insulation in residential attics that contains asbestos. If your insulation contains particles that have a silver gold or gray brown color it may contain asbestos. However there are loose fill wall and attic insulation which can contain asbestos.

The best thing to do is not to touch it but obtain the services of a professional to extract some samples and get a confirmation as to whether it contains asbestos. I have never read or heard of either containing any asbestos fibers.