Dangerous Attic Insulation

While there is no clear proof that fiberglass can cause cancer many people choose to err on the side of safety and replace their old insulation with green non toxic insulation materials.

Dangerous attic insulation.

Asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore as most homeowners should be schooled in the general dangers of disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers. These are thin visible fibers. If you ve ever come in contact with fiberglass you already know what it can do to your skin. Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system.

In case of a fire it gives off an extremely toxic smoke that is more dangerous than regular smoke. Asbestos was incorporated in the insulation of different types including attic insulation. Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner.

These fibers consist of millions of microscopic fibrils. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. Video of the day. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.

Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic. Small spots or speckles of mold on a surface are far less harmful than mold that covers several feet in area and has spread deep into cracks crevices and throughout insulation. During the 20th century was contaminated with asbestos. Dangers of asbestos contaminated vermiculite insulation in your home vermiculite insulation between floor joists in attic vermiculite is a popular insulation material but much of the vermiculite used in the u s.

Although some homeowners have used it in this way it was never approved for use in the attic. Gaps in the attic or between the lower floors and the attic will let heated or cooled air escape to the great unconditioned outdoors making any insulation you add essentially useless. Find a diagram of common air leaks here. If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building.

The tiny fibers of glass from insulation wool can irritate your skin and eyes. As will be discussed in a moment these fibrils can cause serious and even fatal illnesses. The major attic insulation dangers from this type of material would come from combustion.