The epa asbestos web site contains general information on asbestos sources exposure and health effects what to do if you suspect asbestos training and laws and regulations.
Asbestos dust in attic.
Asbestos was a popular material for most of the twentieth century mainly because of its ability to insulate and act as a fire retardant.
Asbestos on or in hvac air ducts.
Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials.
The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos.
Hire an asbestos contractor to install attic flooring that completely covers and seals off the insulation.
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.
There are other sources of asbestos in attic insulation but this single source significantly outpaces the others 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.
In fact it s still used heavily in some parts of the world such as india and china.
Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne.
There is one primary source of asbestos attic insulation.
How to recognize asbestos on or in heating or cooling air ducts or air handlers a photo guide to recognizing asbestos on hvac systems such as air ducts vibration dampers and heating system in slab transite ducts or heating system transite chimneys asbestos ductwork types materials photos of asbestos in hvac ductwork and air handlers blower units.
Attic insulation in older homes may contain asbestos that could fall through ceiling cracks.
Use caulk or spray foam around seams light fixtures fans and switches as well as plumbing pipes or other openings where insulation dust might filter in.
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 types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation.
Asbestos testing labs usually will ask you to scoop up as much settled dust as possible to gather 1 teaspoon full.
While remodeling the attic of his 1960s home john found piles of brown pebble like insulation.
Consider this statement from research titled zonolite attic insulation exposure studies where even the suggested method for removal by the manufacturer.
