GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

Rockwool attic insulation

GreenHomeowner | Posted in General Questions on

We are going to be air-sealing and supplementing the insulation in the attic of our 1960s home.  It currently has a thin layer of rockwool and cellulose.  One contractor we spoke to encouraged us to have the existing insulation removed due to the the rockwool from that era being dangerous to breathe.  Removing the existing insulation would, of course, add significant expense to the project.  Any thoughts on the safety of 1960s rockwool insulation?

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

  1. Expert Member
    BILL WICHERS | | #1

    I’m not aware of any safety issues with old mineral wool. Was your contractor perhaps thinking of vermiculite instead? Old vermiculite sometimes contains asbestos, and that can be a problem.

    Bill

  2. GBA Editor
    Kiley Jacques | | #2

    It could be that the contractor is thinking about mineral wool binders, which can contain formaldehyde. This article might be of interest: Mineral Wool Makers Dropping Formaldehyde Binders.

  3. GreenHomeowner | | #3

    Thank you both for your input!

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |