Breathing Attic Insulation

Loose fill and blown in insulations come in several forms.

Breathing attic insulation.

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. This include repairing chewed electrical wiring pipes and air ducts but primarily involves the removal of rodent droppings and urine contamination. 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. 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.

Although insulation is not normally a good environment for mold growth it can be in some circumstances. The insulation was fairly loose and free because it had been exposed to water because the roof was leaking. Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic. Respirator masks for vermiculite removal vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands into lightweight fire resistant and absorbent odorless and wormlike forms when heated.

Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system. 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. Healthy individuals who inhale the fibers may experience effects such as soreness in the nose and throat and if swallowed stomach irritation can occur. Some can simply be poured out of a bag while others are blown through a special machine and then through an applicator hose.

Asbestos hardly needs an introduction anymore as most homeowners should be schooled in the general dangers of disturbing and breathing asbestos fibers. It can also cause breathing problems. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building.

It is debated whether inhaling fiberglass is carcinogenic but we know that some industrial fiberglass can be due to the binders used. 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. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.