Did They Use Asbestos In Attic Insulation

Grace and company in the 1960s and 1970s.

Did they use asbestos in attic insulation.

It isn t dangerous unless it is disturbed so anyone who suspects that their home has. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite. 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.

In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with gardening for loosening soil. Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. It was likely brought home from work at a factory or salvaged from some other type of building.

Other than vermiculite it s actually quite rare to find thermal insulation in residential attics that contains asbestos. Asbestos insulation was widely used as an insulation material in most residential commercial and public buildings constructed between 1920 and 1986. The use of asbestos was accordingly banned but it still insulates attics in many homes built before the 1970s. Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand.

Zonolite insulation one of the most notorious insulation products that caused asbestos exposure is zonolite insulation which was manufactured by w r. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. Vermiculite is utilized for attic insulation as well as other purposes. Zonolite is a type of loose fill insulation made of heat expanded vermiculite and it was installed as attic insulation in millions of american homes.

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. It is essentially a soft form of silicate that when airborne is highly toxic. It was used in construction materials including roofing materials asphalt shingles roofing felt adhesives putty caulking and patching materials. With many homes from that era still standing it is no surprise to run into asbestos in some capacity.

In those rare cases the asbestos containing materials used for insulation were manufactured for some other purpose. 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.