What Is Asbestos Insulation?
Asbestos is a strong, natural mineral fiber that is resistant to heat and won’t corrode.
The EPA prohibited spray-on applications of the product in 1990.
The Spruce / Elnora Turner
In 2019, the EPA reintroduced new and final asbestos restrictions.
Where Is Asbestos Insulation Found?
Why Is Asbestos Insulation Dangerous?
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Asbestos insulation is one of the most hazardous materials found in homes.
Disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Moving asbestos insulation will cause toxic asbestos fibers to become airborne and potentially inhaled by occupants.
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What Does Asbestos Insulation Look Like?
Spray-on Insulation
Spray-on insulation can be identified as a thick layer of gray material on the ceiling.
This insulation is made up almost entirely of asbestos.
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When it is disturbed or damaged, asbestos fibers become airborne.
Loose-fill insulation does not have a paper backing.
It was placed on the attic’s flooring or blown into a wall’s empty spaces.
Loose-fill fiberglass insulationThe Spruce / Jason Donnelly
There are two types: asbestos air-cell insulation and asbestos wool insulation.
Houses built before 1990 may contain vermiculite insulation that contains asbestos.
Most vermiculite insulation containing asbestos in the U.S. was sourced from a mine near Libby, Montana.
Cellulose insulationThe Spruce / Jason Donnelly
The raw vermiculite material taken from the mine was contaminated with asbestos.
Insulation made from this material represents over 70% of the vermiculite insulation found in U.S. homes.
Because the Libby mine closed in 1990, houses built or remodeled before that date might have asbestos-containing insulation.
Batt or blanket insulationThe Spruce / Jason Donnelly
A popular brand of fiberglass batt insulation is pink, while other brands are generally white.
Cellulose Insulation
Celluloseis a loose-fill insulation that is gray, soft, and without a shine.
It contains a high percentage of recycled paper and does not contain minerals.
Rock wool insulationThe Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Cellulose looks like shredded gray paper, which looks different than asbestos insulation.
Loose-Fill Fiberglass
Fiberglass fill is aloose-fill insulationthat is white and fluffy and has a little shine.
The insulation may produce a slight shine when exposed to bright light because fiberglass is a glass product.
It is very soft, almost like cotton candy, and composed of very fine fibers.
It is usually gray, white, off-white, or brownish-white.
It is made by melting basaltic rock and dolomite with added binders.
Rock wool is installed as loose insulation or as woven insulation batts.
Testing by a qualified lab is the definitive way to tell if your insulation has asbestos.
Fiberglass insulation in walls and ceiling looks like long, thick unified strips or mats (called batts).
Asbestos insulation generally was not produced in batt form.
Vermiculite loose-fill insulation found in attics commonly has asbestos.
Asbestos air-cell insulation wrapped around pipes looks like corrugated cardboard.
Asbestos wool insulation looks like fluffy wool.
Asbestos.South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.
Asbestos.United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Toxic Substances Portal: ToxFAQ’s for Asbestos.Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Identifying Asbestos Insulation.The Asbestos Institute.
Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation.United States Environmental Protection Agency.
