Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals used to produce building materials between the 1930s and 1980s. It became a popular building material because of its chemical and heat resistance characteristics. It was commonly used as an insulation material in residential buildings and commercial properties.
In the 1990s, the use of asbestos was reduced because it was found to contain harmful materials. This discovery caused the use of asbestos to be banned in several countries. Nevertheless, most old homes constructed when asbestos was still in use might have asbestos materials found in the old insulation on the property.
Suppose you’re living in a home built when asbestos was in use. In that case, it’s advisable to check your wall insulation or attic insulation to see whether asbestos is present in them. The question now is, ” how do you recognize asbestos?”
Asbestos varies in appearance depending on the type used. Nonetheless, asbestos was commonly used in some specific types of insulation.
Types Of Insulation That Could Contain Asbestos
The most common insulations that contain asbestos are vermiculite insulation, loose-fill insulation, and asbestos pipe insulation.
- Loose-fill Insulation
Loose-fill insulation, also known as blown-in insulation, is one of the most common types of insulation made with asbestos materials. It’s easy to recognize because it appears lumpy, fluffy, and loose. It doesn’t contain other types of backing materials, such as paper.
- Vermiculite insulation
Vermiculite insulation appears pebble-like and is silvery-gold or grayish-brown in color. They’re produced from earth-mined natural minerals. The natural minerals expand when exposed to heat, creating stony-looking particles that appear in the insulation.
- Asbestos Pipe Insulation
Pipes in furnace rooms, basements, utility rooms, and other service areas in the home may be wrapped with asbestos insulation. Pipe insulation containing asbestos appears like corrugated paper or cardboard with a gray or off-white color. When the pipes are wrapped with insulation, it often has an outer casing to anchor the insulation around the pipes. If the pipe insulation were made of fiberglass, the edge would have exposed tufts of fiberglass. But, If the wrapped pipe has corrugated edges, it indicates that the pipe insulation contains asbestos.
- Zonolite Insulation
In the United States, most of the vermiculite insulation containing asbestos was obtained from a mine close to Libby, Montana. The vermiculite insulation was sold under the brand name “Zonolite.” Because the vermiculite insulation was obtained from the Libby mine, it was contaminated with asbestos. The Zonolite insulation appears gray-brown and silver-gold. They have an accordion-style texture and a flat shape.
Types of Insulation that doesn’t Contain Asbestos
Several insulations are considered safe and free from the health risk of asbestos.
- Cellulose Insulation
The cellulose insulation appears soft and gray; it’s loose-fill and has no shine. Cellulose insulation is mainly made of recycled paper and contains no minerals. Because of its loose consistency, it can be blown into the attic. They’re safe and pose no health risk.
- Loose-Fill Fiberglass Insulation
Loose-Fill Fiberglass Insulation has a loose consistency, is fluffy and white, and has little shine. They’re made from glass and reflect light; they also look like cotton candy. Though fiberglass insulation can cause respiratory and skin irritation, it doesn’t contain asbestos.
- Rock Wool Insulation
Rock wool insulation is soft, fibrous, cottony, and loose-fill mineral-based insulation. The colors range from gray to cream or dirty white and are obtained from dolomite, melting basaltic rock, and other binding materials. Rockwool insulation can either be in woven or loose form. They also do not contain asbestos.
- Batt or Blanket Insulation
Batt or blanket insulation is generally considered safe. They can be made of cellulose, fiberglass, or other materials. Asbestos-free batts or blanket insulation do not contain an iota of asbestos.
Health Risk Of Asbestos Insulation
When asbestos insulation deteriorates over time, the particles become unstable and are distributed into the air. When the particles are inhaled into the lungs, the body is exposed to severe health conditions. Inhaling fibers from asbestos can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. The risk of developing these diseases increases based on the number of fiber particles inhaled. Most people that develop these diseases have usually been exposed to asbestos particles for an extended period. Including ECO grants is a great way to save on your energy bills. You could qualify for ECO grants if you are a homeowner. To find out more about free insulation grants read the Warma UK full guide on how to qualify for a free grant.
Therefore, it’s best to get rid of asbestos insulation from the home to help preserve your health and your family’s health. If you’re unsure of the materials used in your home insulation, endeavor to arrange for asbestos testing.
