Danger Of White Loose Fill Insulation In Attic

If the insulation is wool like and gray it may be loose fill rockwool.

Danger of white loose fill insulation in attic.

Older types of insulation include loose fill or batt fiberglass which can be pink yellow or white. If the insulation is in batt form there is nothing to worry about it is loose fill insulation poured loosely into wall stud cavities or joists that are problematical. The paperwork didn t go into specifics about what type of insulation it. There are three types of blown in insulation.

If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building. The most common type that homeowners will encounter is called loose fill cellulose insulation. I asked the seller about it since it was installed 2 years back and the paperwork he had just said r 30 loose fill and it was 10 thick appearing to be r 3 per inch. Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system.

It isn t itchy like loose fill fiberglass but appears to be a bit lighter weight and easier to move around. This is slightly different from another type of cellulose insulation which is designed to be blown onto open walls much like spray foam. If your loose fill insulation fits the visual cues for vermiculite the first thing to do is to avoid disturbing it. Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic.

If it is white however it may be a newer product. Leaving insulation undisturbed greatly reduces the risk of exposure. People have the greatest risk of developing an illness such as asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma when they are exposed to asbestos dust on a regular basis over many years and any activity that disturbs zonolite can potentially release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. What to do with suspicious insulation.

Saturated insulation typically loses at least 40 of its insulating r value. While this type is often still used older insulation may be discolored or torn and is therefore less effective. This is how i did my entire attic without a helper or blow in machine. Asbestos fibers are most dangerous when they are airborne and can be breathed in.

Some studies suggest tremolite could be 10 times more dangerous than the white asbestos used by most manufacturers. All of those can be a dangerous risk. The three most common types of blown in insulation are loose fill fiberglass cellulose and rock wool each with its own pros and cons. Loss of insulating value.