Asbestos Insulation
What is Asbestos Insulation?
Asbestos insulation is a type of insulation material that was commonly used in buildings and homes for its heat resistance properties. The insulation was made from asbestos fibers, which are a group of six naturally occurring minerals known for their strength and thermal insulation properties. Asbestos insulation was popular in the past due to its affordability and effectiveness in resisting heat. However, it has been banned in many countries due to its link to serious health risks, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Long gone are the days of insulating homes with Asbestos and we have now moved onto more safe options such as Cellulose Insulation. However, this does not mean it is uncommon to find in some older homes. Generally, homes built in the 1970’s and onward have steered clear of the use of Asbestos in any form however, it has not been fully banned in all forms until March 2024! Luckily, the forms used in residential homes has generally been phased out since 1978 but again have lingered in other fields until recently. The timeline of these regulations are below:
“Legislation That Regulates Asbestos
Clean Air Act of 1970: Classified asbestos as a hazardous air pollutant and gave the EPA the power to regulate the use and disposal of asbestos. Amendments to this act banned friable asbestos pipe and block insulation on facility components in 1975. Spray-applied asbestos products for any application were banned in 1973.
Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972: Banned asbestos in artificial fireplace embers and wall patching compounds.
Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976: Provided the EPA with the authority to place restrictions on certain chemicals such as asbestos, radon and lead-based paint.
Medical Device Amendments of 1976: Allowed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of asbestos-containing filters in pharmaceutical manufacturing, processing and packaging.
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986: Required the EPA to establish standards for inspecting and removing asbestos in schools.
Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act: The Lautenberg Act amended the Toxic Substances Control Act, which allowed the EPA to implement the 2024 chrysotile ban” (Joe Lahav, The Mesothelioma Center).
What do I do if I have Asbestos in my home?
If our auditors come across anything that we might identify as Asbestos we will immediately notify you of our findings. The EPA recommends to simply leave the material alone however if you decide to remove or disturb the material in any way, the best step is to contact an asbestos contractor who can properly remove anything that may be asbestos related. Our energy auditors can help guide you with what they believe might be the best option for your home. This is one of the many benefits of having an energy audit conducted in your home.
Different forms of asbestos can be:
Paint
Insulation
Floor Tiles
Shingles
Siding
Pipe Wrap
What to do once I remove asbestos insulation from my home?
Once you have taken the step of removing the asbestos from your home, you must find a new form of insulation! The type we recommend is cellulose and we can conduct an energy audit to find out which is best for your home and where it would make the most impact! We also take use of Fiberglass, Spray Foam, Rock Wool, and Rigid Foam insulation types. Whichever might be the best fit for your home, we can find out. After having this new insulation installed, all you need to do is sit back, and relax being worry-free that your home is now safer and more comfortable than ever before.
Do not wait any longer! Have your home inspected by us to unveil any potential hazards in your attics or crawlspaces! We will also identify any areas where improvements can be made to your home’s energy efficiency and help lower your utility bill. Lastly, We will send you a report with an obligation-free proposal for any work that we can do in your home! What are you waiting for? Click the button below to be redirected to our scheduling page to get scheduled for your New York State Free Home Energy Audit!
