Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Aug 09, 2018 05:25am | #1

   Oxhouse,
   It's probably cellulose insulation, but it's hard to be certain with such low-quality photos.
   If you have any doubts, invite an experienced insulation contractor -- one who has experience installing cellulose -- to look at it.

2. 
   walta100 | Aug 09, 2018 12:12pm | #2

   No one can be certain if asbestos is present without testing under a microscope. Most cities have a local lab and testing is not a large expense if you consider risk from exposure. Mail order testing is 30.00 https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1533830921&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=asbestos+testing&psc=1 Walta

3. Expert Member
   Dana Dorsett | Aug 09, 2018 06:37pm | #3

   I agree with Martin- it sure looks like cellulose, but it's too low-res to say for sure.

   If it's cellulose it will not feel the least bit itchy/prickly, and when thoroughly wetted becomes like papier mache (since it's made of milled shredded paper and fire retardents.) The fire retardents usually impart a gray appearance to the paper. Scoop a demitasse full of it and sprinkle in some water, see how easily it mixes and wets. Cellulose wets and clumps readily and can soak up quite a bit of water.

   Some rock wool products will have a similar and gray look but is clearly longer fibers, and can be itchy to the skin and is more hygrophopic-it won't wet or clump very easily when wet. The same is true for some blown asbestos products, which usually have a more uniform somewhat darker gray color than rock wool.

4. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Aug 11, 2018 05:30am | #4

   Dana Dorsett is correct, and there's every reason to believe that the insulation in the photo is harmless cellulose.

   That said, I'd like to add an important safety warning: If you suspect that you're looking at vermiculite insulation -- a type of insulation that often includes asbestos -- or if there is a good chance you are looking at asbestos pipe insulation, then you don't want to be touching it, feeling it, or scooping up a demitasse of it.

   Here's the rule: Don't touch it. Secure the area and ensure that the fibers aren't disturbed. Especially, don't let kids anywhere near it.

5. 
   TYSR | Dec 13, 2023 10:10am | #5

   Get it tested its the only way to know for sure. I've used this asbestos testing kit from amazon before (https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Kit-Business-included/dp/B08B68N9YC) - Very quick turnaround and customer support was fantastic.

6. 
   user-5946022 | Dec 13, 2023 08:59pm | #6

   Looks like a bot or marketer resurrecting old posts, and adding Amazon links for their product.

   The 2023 reply to this 2018 thread is SPAM!