Identify Asbestos Attic Insulation

If you re unsure if your insulation contains asbestos play it safe and contact a professional to inspect it.

Identify asbestos attic insulation.

Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. This type of insulation was usually used on steam heating pipes between 1910 and 1980. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Asbestos insulation can also look like a cardboard covering.

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. It is easy to identify by its loose lumpy form and fluffy or granular texture. 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. So how do you identify if your attic insulation contains asbestos.

Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. Do not try to remove insulation that could contain asbestos yourself.

Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. 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. Below we will discuss specifics about loose fill insulation which could contain asbestos.