Testing for Asbestos

• Asbestos is a type of thin mineral, and insulation was made with fibers created from the mineral. It is nearly impossible to identify asbestos insulation by simply looking at the fibers. You must send a sample of the insulation to a professional lab that tests the fibers under a microscope. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos insulation is commonly found on houses built after 1930, but before 1950. The government did not ban asbestos in home paints, compounds and insulation until the 1970s.
  
  

Professional Removal

• Asbestos removal requires a special permit, and the work must be done by an individual with experience in handling the material. If the asbestos insulation is not handled properly, the risk of accidentally dislodging the fibers and sending those fibers into the air increases. You and your family risk inhaling the material, which can cause health problems up to 30 years after exposure. The professional can also dispose of the asbestos properly, as you cannot throw asbestos-based items into landfills or the dump. Many cities require an additional permit for disposing of asbestos products.
  
  

Removal Regulations

• The removal of the insulation may be covered under city or state regulations. Typically, the regulations require you to repair or fix the insulation, rather than remove it, if repair is possible. In certain situations, the law will require the removal of the insulation. If you are making any repairs or remodels to your home and the insulation is disrupted during the process, then you must remove the insulation first. The law generally looks at how much risk the work poses to the fibers.
  
  

Considerations

• Asbestos is not the only product used in home insulation, but it is the only one with special laws and regulations in place. For insulation made from other types of fibers, consult your garbage removal company, as well as the city or county dump in your area. The company may not pick up insulation because the workers have no way of identifying the dangerous forms. In addition, not all dumps accept insulation, as it is a construction material.