Identify Asbestos Attic Insulation

It is easy to identify by its loose lumpy form and fluffy or granular texture.

Identify asbestos attic insulation.

So how do you identify if your attic insulation contains asbestos. If you re unsure if your insulation contains asbestos play it safe and contact a professional to inspect it. 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. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand.

This type of insulation was usually used on steam heating pipes between 1910 and 1980. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with gardening for loosening soil. Asbestos insulation can also look like a cardboard covering.

Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. There isn t necessarily a surefire way to tell if your insulation has asbestos unless it s labeled or you have an expert take a look. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. 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.

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 attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures.