Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos.
Pink attic insulation asbestos.
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 agency.
That is the loose granular insulation called vermiculite.
Between the white brown pink and yellow options many wonder what the differences are.
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.
Fiberglass insulation a man made mineral fiber con structed from a variety of materials such as sand and recycled glass is the most popular form of insulation in the united states more than 90 percent of homes in america are lined with the pink stuff source.
Other insulation balsam wool is a shredded wood product treated with borax as a fire retardant.
Fiberglass insulation can come in a variety of colors.
The structure of asbestos particles is like a rod with many barbs which prevent it from becoming.
The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite.
It s considered a very natural product and does not contain 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.
Loose fill insulation could contain asbestos if.
Your home was constructed prior to 1990.
About 70 of u s.
Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials.
If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos.
But while many see the benefits of insulating our houses.
Tremolite is similar to asbestos.
There is one type of older insulation that has a significant possibility of being contaminated with asbestos.
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.
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.
The pink fibers are undoubtedly fiberglass which at worse are usually no more than an irritant.
The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation.
In truth the core difference is the manufacturer.
Because zonolite had been contaminated with tremolite it resulted in being a health hazard.
With many homes from that era still standing it is no surprise to run into asbestos in some capacity.
Asbestos insulation is a very common problem that many people have to deal with at some point.