Asbestos insulation comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and its look varies.
In the 1950s and 1960s, it was a highly popular material for home construction.
As a result, asbestos insulation may still be present in certain older homes.
Let’s take a look at the many types of asbestos-containing insulation you can find in older homes:
Asbestos Insulation with Loose Fill
Loose asbestos is most often found in lofts as loft insulation, but it can also be discovered in household and commercial premises beneath
flooring and inside hollow walls.
It’s simple to spot since it has a fluffy, almost candyfloss-like look and is often white or blueish grey in colour.
Because it is comprised entirely of asbestos fibres, inhaling it will cause the most harm to your body.
As a result, you should never try to remove this form of asbestos on your own.
To properly remove and dispose of loose fill asbestos insulation, always hire a professional asbestos removal contractor.
Insulation for pipes
Asbestos is still often found in pipes, boilers, and heating systems.
This kind of asbestos is typically recognised by its flaky and powdery look, despite its numerous varied appearances.
Because it’s generally painted over in a different colour or has a protective coating placed on top of it, it’s difficult to see when used as
pipe insulation.
When the pipe lagging is damaged, asbestos fibres can readily be discharged.
To handle this asbestos material, you must be a licenced asbestos removal contractor.
Insulating Board Made of Asbestos
Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) is a widely utilised building material in both residential and commercial construction.
It was frequently employed as a fireproofing material, but it was also found in ceiling tiles, partition walls, soffits, elevator shaft linings, and
window panels.
Non-licensed operatives can remove AIB materials if they are adequately trained and the work is just for a limited length of time (less than
1 hour for 1 person in a 7 day period, not to exceed 2 hours spent by all workers).
However, any substantial activity, such as destruction or considerable restoration, would be considered notifiable.
Work that is expected to take more than 1 hour for one person in a 7-day period, or more than 2 hours for all workers, requires the use of
a licenced contractor.
Is it true that fibreglass insulation contains asbestos?
Despite the notion that asbestos and fibreglass have similar characteristics, they are in reality two distinct materials.
Asbestos is a natural substance formed from silicate minerals, whereas fibreglass is a man-made material manufactured from glass fibre
reinforced plastic.
Because both materials are fibrous and have good heat resistance, they may seem similar and are frequently compared.
When correctly placed, fibreglass, unlike asbestos, is usually regarded to be safe.
Is asbestos in insulation a health hazard?
As previously stated, asbestos in loose fill insulation and near pipe insulation may be extremely hazardous.
The reason for this is that tiny asbestos fibres are discharged into the atmosphere when the asbestos-containing material is broken or
disturbed.
As a result, a person can readily breathe in asbestos fibres, posing a serious health risk.
Inhaling these small asbestos fibres causes them to become entrenched in the lungs, where they become stuck since the body is unable
to naturally dispose of them.
Asbestos fibres can remain in the lungs for many years before causing health problems.
Any signs of asbestos illness might take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to appear.
Asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer are some of the most prevalent asbestos-related illnesses.
