Asbestos In Attic Safe

The epa says that vermiculite insulation which is the pebbly stuff found in attics of many older homes is only risky if it contains more than one percent asbestos.

Asbestos in attic safe.

Asbestos only becomes a problem if it becomes airborne and gets into your lungs at a high enough dose. Asbestos was incorporated in the insulation of different types including attic insulation. 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. Place the plastic sheeting over the walls by taping them down as well.

That s good news because most zonolite a type of vermiculite insulation falls into that category. Asbestos is dangerous because it contains what is known as fibrous crystals. Asbestos causes cancer and other diseases. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.

The best way to do this other than wetting the asbestos is covering the attic in plastic. 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. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos.

Plastic sheeting is very inexpensive but will prevent the asbestos fibers from contaminating the air. Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne. 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. While remodeling the attic of his 1960s home john found piles of brown pebble like insulation.

These fibers consist of millions of microscopic fibrils. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. He decided to replace the existing insulation with new fiberglass insulation to save money in the winter months. Place the plastic on the floor to cover it and make sure you tape it down.

But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. These are thin visible fibers. Asbestos isn t like radioactivity which can be a hazard because it constantly emits radiation. 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.