Disturbed Asbestos In The Attic
Used for fireproofing and insulation asbestos was a cheap and effective material that became an industry standard for buildings across the country.
Disturbed asbestos in the attic. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. 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 asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos. Leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed in your attic or in your walls.
Do not attempt to remove the insulation. 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. Asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore as most homeowners should be schooled in the general dangers of disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers.
Do not allow children to play in an attic with vermiculite insulation. Brake dust in home garage. Older brakes and foreign made brakes may 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.
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. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. We recommend that you. Do not store boxes or other items in your attic if it contains vermiculite insulation.
Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne. Ralph loves working on his 1965. Other places you might find asbestos are. 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.
Floor tiles ceiling tiles vermiculite insulation in attics and walls roofing and siding artificial ashes and embers in gas fireplaces textured paint and patching compounds banned in 1977. The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite. Common exposure scenarios attic renovation.