Disturbed Asbestos In The Attic

If you re concerned about a particular material in your home you can call an asbestos inspection company to come in and have the material tested.

Disturbed asbestos in the attic.

If you absolutely have to go in your attic and it contains vermiculite insulation you should limit the number of trips you make and shorten the length of those trips in order to help limit your potential exposure. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. Attic insulation in older homes may contain asbestos that could fall through ceiling cracks. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles.

The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite. 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. He decided to replace the existing insulation with new fiberglass insulation to save money in the winter months. 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.

Any disturbance could potentially release asbestos fibers into the air. When released into the air especially in enclosed spaces where it can concentrate the fibrous dust can enter the body either by inhalation or swallowing. Consider this statement from research titled zonolite attic insulation exposure studies where even the suggested method for removal by the manufacturer grace created a very unsafe condition. 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.

Used for fireproofing and insulation asbestos was a cheap and effective material that became an industry standard for buildings across the country. The dangers of asbestos when disturbed if asbestos is crushed drilled excavated or otherwise disturbed even by natural erosion the fibers become airborne. There is one primary source of asbestos attic insulation. Asbestos only becomes a problem if it becomes airborne and gets into your lungs at a high enough dose.

Asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore as most homeowners should be schooled in the general dangers of disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers. You should assume the vermiculite contains asbestos and do not disturb it. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos.