Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne.
Disturbed asbestos in the attic.
Asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore as most homeowners should be schooled in the general dangers of disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers.
Used for fireproofing and insulation asbestos was a cheap and effective material that became an industry standard for buildings across the country.
If you notice that you have insulation that is falling apart in your building have a professional inspect for asbestos.
We recommend that you.
Leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed in your attic or in your walls.
In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles.
Other places you might find asbestos are.
Do not attempt to remove the insulation.
Floor tiles ceiling tiles vermiculite insulation in attics and walls roofing and siding artificial ashes and embers in gas fireplaces textured paint and patching compounds banned in 1977.
Asbestos can be found in the insulation used in walls attics the materials around plumbing and pipes electrical wiring as well as on heating and air conditioning units.
Attic insulation in older homes may contain asbestos that could fall through ceiling cracks.
Ralph loves working on his 1965.
There is one primary source of asbestos attic insulation.
Brake dust in home garage.
Older brakes and foreign made brakes may contain asbestos.
Do not store boxes or other items in your attic if it contains vermiculite insulation.
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.
The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite.
One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.
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 grace created a very unsafe condition.
Do not allow children to play in an attic with vermiculite insulation.
The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos.
