Breathing Attic Insulation

Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic.

Breathing attic insulation. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. 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. Healthy individuals who inhale the fibers may experience effects such as soreness in the nose and throat and if swallowed stomach irritation can occur.

Attic cleanup restoration is the process of bringing back the original condition that your attic was in before the pest infestation. This include repairing chewed electrical wiring pipes and air ducts but primarily involves the removal of rodent droppings and urine contamination. Asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore as most homeowners should be schooled in the general dangers of disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers. Greencat is not your average southern california home performance contractor we pair our broad range of specialties certifications and licenses with our extensive building science knowledge to create whole home solutions that are customized to your home s unique challenges and needs.

I am an extremely healthy male 29 vegetarian cardio twice or more per week nonsmoker then i inhaled a pretty large dose of fiberglass insulation while working on a house and the insulation fell on my face and caught me by surprise. Some can simply be poured out of a bag while others are blown through a special machine and then through an applicator hose. The insulation was fairly loose and free because it had been exposed to water because the roof was leaking. Although insulation is not normally a good environment for mold growth it can be in some circumstances.

Cellulose and chopped fiberglass are the most common types of loose fill and blown in insulation. Breathing masks act as useful protective barriers though the specific kind of mask necessary will vary depending upon the type of insulation you are removing. If dust is trapped in the insulation if the house is in a humid climate and if it gets warm and moist in the attic mold growth can occur there. Inhaling or swallowing if you have asthma or bronchitis wear a dust mask when working with insulation because inhaling the fibers can worsen these conditions.

They say that consumer household fiberglass insulation is not carcinogenic but assuming it is it would be estimated at about 4 7 of what asbestos is. Respirator masks for vermiculite removal vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands into lightweight fire resistant and absorbent odorless and wormlike forms when heated. Loose fill and blown in insulations come in several forms.