Identifying Asbestos Insulation Attic

Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand.

Identifying asbestos insulation attic.

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. Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. 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.

It is easy to identify by its loose lumpy form and fluffy or granular texture. In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with gardening for loosening soil. 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. 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.

The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. Asbestos insulation can also look like a cardboard covering. 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. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures.

Properly identifying asbestos insulation can help you avoid some serious health problems in the future.