Asbestos Blown Attic Insulation

Vermiculite is utilized for attic insulation as well as other purposes.

Asbestos blown attic insulation.

Vermiculite attic insulation is the main source of concern with asbestos dangers although asbestos is not in every brand. In addition to building insulation vermiculite is commonly used with gardening for loosening soil. The insulation helps to keep homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos.

Vermiculite insulation alone is not dangerous being a pellet style mineral which expands with higher temperatures. Blown in insulation asbestos has been used as an effective insulator in homes and commercial buildings throughout most of the 20th century. 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. The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation.

The insulation was sold under the brand name zonolite. 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. 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.