Asbestos In Attic Dangerous

To avoid exposure to asbestos fibres do not disturb vermiculite based attic insulation in any way or attempt to remove it yourself.

Asbestos in attic dangerous.

Asbestos spray coating was a commonly used way to insulate a roof and sometimes the sides of buildings. 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. As will be discussed in a moment these fibrils can cause serious and even fatal illnesses. In fact asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested.

Even small movements can send asbestos particles into the air. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. Asbestos is dangerous because it contains what is known as fibrous crystals. Asbestos was incorporated in the insulation of different types including attic insulation.

In addition to being fireproof and insulating asbestos can also help with soundproofing. The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing. If the asbestos is undisturbed and it s sealed away from your home s living space such as in a ventilated attic or inside the walls many homeowners decide to leave vermiculite insulation alone rather than spending thousands of dollars on remediation. Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne.

Asbestos was a popular material for most of the twentieth century mainly because of its ability to insulate and act as a fire retardant. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. These fibers consist of millions of microscopic fibrils. The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos.

Check the underside of your roof for a white or gray rough coating. Asbestos becomes dangerous when its fibers released into the air whether in a factory or during a home renovation. In fact it s still used heavily in some parts of the world such as india and china. Look in your attic for loose fill asbestos.

If you have vermiculite based insulation in your attic it may contain asbestos. These are thin visible fibers. Many of the fibers will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed but some. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos.

Consider this statement from research titled zonolite attic insulation exposure studies where even the suggested method for removal by the manufacturer. Children are not allowed in the attic. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles.