What Is Asbestos Insulation and How to Spot It

Asbestos was once a popular insulation material used in commercial and residential buildings. However, we now know it's a carcinogen that can lead to severe health problems, like lung cancer, so its use is banned or restricted in many countries. Still, many homes can contain hazardous material, especially if the home was built prior to 1980. Use this guide to help you identify whether you have asbestos-containing insulation in your home so you can get it removed ASAP. 

What Is Asbestos Insulation? 

Asbestos insulation was commonly used to insulate commercial and residential buildings prior to the 1980s. By the late 20th century, it became known that inhaling asbestos can lead to severe health hazards, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, so it's been banned or restricted in most countries. 

Currently, the U.S. doesn't ban asbestos, but several restrictions have been put in place to reduce its use, so it's not often used in new residential construction. Houses built before 1980 are most likely to contain asbestos, but houses built after that date can contain hazardous material as well. 

Different Types of Asbestos Insulation

There are several different types of asbestos insulation, including spray-on, loose-fill, and block asbestos insulation. Knowing what type of insulation you have can help you hone in on whether or not it contains asbestos. 

Loose-Fill Asbestos Insulation

Loose-fill asbestos insulation is unbound and fluffy, kind of like cotton candy. It was commonly used in attics and was a popular choice for homebuilders due to its lightweight composition and easy application. However, its loose, lightweight composition can very easily release asbestos fibers when it's disturbed, posing serious health risks. 

Spray-On Asbestos Insulation

Also known as "Limpet" asbestos, spray-on asbestos insulation comprises asbestos fibers and binding materials. It's often applied wet and sprayed onto walls, beams, and ceilings. Because it can be sprayed on, it was often used to cover very large areas and complex shapes. Like loose-fill asbestos insulation, it's incredibly easy for spray-on asbestos insulation to release asbestos fibers when disturbed. 

Block Asbestos Insulation

Block asbestos insulation comes in semi-rigid blocks that provide thermal insulation and protection against heat, so it's typically installed near high-temperature areas, like furnaces and builders. Because it's semi-rigid, this insulation isn't as likely to release asbestos fibers when disturbed as loose-fill and spray-on insulation, but cutting or drilling into it can still release dangerous fibers. 

Wrapped Asbestos Insulation

Wrapped asbestos insulation, also called blanket insulation, comprises asbestos fibers and bind agents that are then formed into large sheets or rolls. It's commonly used to insulate pipes and ducts thanks to its flexible composition that can be wrapped tightly around them. Like block insulation, it's not as likely to release asbestos fibers as spray-on or loose-fill insulation, but if it becomes damaged or deteriorates over time, it can still release asbestos fibers.

Where Is Asbestos Insulation Most Commonly Found?

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While asbestos can be found in many different types of insulation, it's most often found in pipe insulation and vermiculite loose-fill insulation. 

Vermiculite Loose-Fill Insulation

Not all loose-fill insulation contains asbestos, but vermiculite loose-fill insulation commonly contains the material. This type of insulation is usually grayish-brown and looks somewhat like little pebbles. 

The reason it often contains asbestos is because most vermiculite insulation in the U.S. was sourced from a mine near Libby, Montana, which was later found to be contaminated with asbestos. The mine became inactive in 1990, so vermiculite loose-fill insulation used before that date is most likely to contain asbestos. 

Pipe Insulation

Thanks to asbestos' durability and heat resistance, it was previously thought to be the best type of insulation for pipes near furnaces, utility spaces, and basements. Asbestos-containing pipe insulation is usually light gray and looks like corrugated paper wrapped around the pipes. 

However, there are other types of pipe insulation that do not contain asbestos, such as fiberglass. The biggest difference is that asbestos-containing pipe insulation has corrugated edges, while fiberglass insulation usually has little fiberglass tufts sticking out of the sides. 

Insulation That's Unlikely to Contain Asbestos

Certain insulation types are unlikely to contain asbestos, like rock wool and cellulose insulation. Many of these insulation types were developed as a safe alternative to asbestos-containing insulation.

Rock Wool Insulation

Made from dolomite and basalt rock, rock wool insulation is sometimes mistaken for asbestos-containing insulation due to its fibrous, fluffy texture. However, it's made without hazardous material, and it's usually installed as loose-fill insulation or as woven insulation batts. 

Loose-Fill Fiberglass Insulation

Loose-fill fiberglass insulation is another material that's unlikely to contain asbestos. This insulation type is usually fluffy and white with a slight sheen, especially when you shine a flashlight on it. 

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose insulation primarily comprises shredded newspaper. It's usually gray or brownish-gray, and it's used as a safe alternative to asbestos-containing insulation. It's most often found as loose-fill insulation, but you can also purchase batt and blanket cellulose insulation. 

Batt or Blanket Insulation

Batt or blanket insulation comes in large rolls or pre-cut panels. It's usually made from fiberglass, but it might also be made from mineral wool, plastic fibers, or natural fibers. It's primarily installed between wall, floor, and ceiling studs. This type of insulation has never contained asbestos.

What to Do If You Think You Found Asbestos Insulation

If you suspect your insulation might contain asbestos, make sure not to disturb it by bumping it, tearing it, or otherwise handling it since this will release harmful asbestos fibers. It's best to stay away from the location until the asbestos is safely removed. 

While you can purchase an asbestos test kit to determine whether it's asbestos, the Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend testing it yourself since it can lead to health hazards. Instead, call an asbestos removal company to test for it and safely get rid of it if you have it. Asbestos removal costs an average of $2,197, but considering asbestos can cause cancer, it's well worth the investment.