Is There Asbestos In My Attic Insulation

Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials.

Is there asbestos in my 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. 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. If you reside in a home that was built or remodeled prior to 1990 the possibility exists that you may have attic insulation that contains asbestos. 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.

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 you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos. Fiberglass and cellulose are the most common insulation installed in residential attics today. Used for fireproofing and insulation asbestos was a cheap and effective material that became an industry standard for buildings across the country.

Attic insulation may contain asbestos too and just like the other asbestos containing materials and products it entails a great risk of developing severe diseases such as mesothelioma or lung cancer especially if it is in poor condition. 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. Other than vermiculite it s actually quite rare to find thermal insulation in residential attics that contains asbestos. Asbestos insulation is a very common problem that many people have to deal with at some point.

There exist a good many misconceptions about attic insulation and asbestos. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. 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. However there are loose fill wall and attic insulation which can contain asbestos.

If your home was built before 1990 and you have vermiculite insulation or if your house was built prior to 1970 it s likely that you have some form of asbestos in your attic or elsewhere. In order to protect the safety and health of your loved ones you need to familiarize yourself with basic facts and factors associated with the dangers of asbestos attic insulation. You may also find thousands of loose particles within walls or under attic flooring.