Identifying Asbestos Attic 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.

Identifying asbestos attic insulation.

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. Properly identifying asbestos insulation can help you avoid some serious health problems in the future. Asbestos has been directly linked to causing mesothelioma and lung cancer as a result of breathing it in. The small fibers that come off of asbestos can kill you.

If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos. 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. 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.

The majority of homeowners need to be educated on the general danger of breathing and disturbing asbestos fiber. In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with gardening for loosening soil. 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. Older buildings and homes may have asbestos within products from hot water piping insulation to furnace insulation even floor tiles.

Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Identifying asbestos insulation when it comes to asbestos it rarely needs introduced at this point. Asbestos insulation can also look like a cardboard covering.