Dangerous Attic Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system.

Dangerous attic insulation.

If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building. Video of the day. Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic. These fibers consist of millions of microscopic fibrils.

If you ve ever come in contact with fiberglass you already know what it can do to your skin. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. Asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore as most homeowners should be schooled in the general dangers of disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers. Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed.

Although some homeowners have used it in this way it was never approved for use in the attic. Asbestos was incorporated in the insulation of different types including attic insulation. These are thin visible fibers. 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.

One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. If you experience too much contact with fiberglass it can cause what s called irritant contact dermatitis or inflammation of the skin. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. In case of a fire it gives off an extremely toxic smoke that is more dangerous than regular smoke.

Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s. 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. Asbestos is dangerous because it contains what is known as fibrous crystals. 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.

As will be discussed in a moment these fibrils can cause serious and even fatal illnesses. 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. The major attic insulation dangers from this type of material would come from combustion.