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.

Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed. During the 20th century was contaminated with asbestos. These are thin visible fibers. If you ve ever come in contact with fiberglass you already know what it can do to your skin.

Asbestos is dangerous because it contains what is known as fibrous crystals. Find a diagram of common air leaks here. Asbestos was incorporated in the insulation of different types including attic insulation. In case of a fire it gives off an extremely toxic smoke that is more dangerous than regular smoke.

One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. Asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore as most homeowners should be schooled in the general dangers of disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers. Video of the day. Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s.

These fibers consist of millions of microscopic fibrils. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. As will be discussed in a moment these fibrils can cause serious and even fatal illnesses. If you experience too much contact with fiberglass it can cause what s called irritant contact dermatitis or inflammation of the skin.

If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system. 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.

Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic. The tiny fibers of glass from insulation wool can irritate your skin and eyes. Although some homeowners have used it in this way it was never approved for use in the attic.