What Is Asbestos and Loose Fill Insulation?
Asbestos was used in homes in the US, the UK, and many other nations during most of the twentieth century. People didn’t think it was dangerous or experimental at the time. People thought it was a good way to deal with the concerns that builders and homeowners had, such as fire risk, durability, cost, and energy efficiency. It wasn’t until later that the terrible health effects were clear to everyone.
A Material Seen as Fireproof and Reassuring
One of the main reasons to use asbestos was that it was safe from fire. House fires were prevalent, especially in homes with coal fireplaces, old gas heating, and old electrical systems. Asbestos is naturally resistant to heat and doesn’t catch fire readily, which is why it was used in walls, ceilings, insulation, and roofing materials. Asbestos seemed to give builders and regulators piece of mind at a time when fire protection technology was restricted.
Strength That Meets the Needs of Mass Housing
Fibers from asbestos are very strong and flexible. When added to cement, plaster, or vinyl, they made materials that were much less likely to crack or wear out than many other options. Because it was so strong, asbestos was great for siding, ceiling tiles, roof shingles, and wall panels.
Cheap and Simple to Make
Another reason asbestos became so common was that it was cheap. It was not too expensive to mine, and it was easy to add to current production processes. Businesses might add asbestos to products without having to change the way they make things or train their personnel again. This kept construction costs down during housing booms and allowed developers to fulfill growing demand for inexpensive houses.
Effective Insulation Before Modern Standards
Asbestos was prized for its ability to insulate. It kept heat in, cut down on drafts, and kept pipes and boilers safe from very hot or very cold weather. Because of this, people often utilized asbestos in attics, basements, ducting, and near heating systems. People in colder areas thought this was a good way to make things more comfortable and save money on gasoline.
Health Risks Not Fully Understood or Accepted
There were medical cautions regarding being around asbestos as early as the 1920s, but they weren’t well known and were largely ignored. There wasn’t any government control, and a lot of people thought that asbestos was harmless as long as it wasn’t disturbed inside homes. Because of this, people kept using it in their homes until the 1970s, even though the risks in factories were becoming evident.
The Legacy in Homes Today
Some older homes still have asbestos in things like popcorn ceilings, vinyl floor tiles, cement siding, joint compounds, and pipe insulation. The fact that it is there shows how the building priorities have changed over time, not because residents were careless. Today, it is important to be aware of and professionally manage asbestos-containing materials to safeguard long-term health.
Phoenix Valley Insulation Removal
If you’ve got asbestos insulation in your property it poses a health hazard. Barrier insulation provides insulation removal services in the Phoenix Valley and is an insulation installation contractor. That means we can remove dangerous, damaged, or ineffective insulation and replace it with the highest performance insulation on the market. From spray foam insulation to loose fill blown in insulation we will help you choose a cost effective and high performance insulation solution to help keep you comfortable all year long.
Classroom & Online
The Asbestos Institute has provided EPA and Cal/OSHA-accredited safety training since 1988. From OSHA 10 to hazmat training and asbestos certification, our trusted and experienced instructors make sure participants get the high-quality initial and refresher training they need.
Classroom
We train on-site at our headquarters in Phoenix, AZ or at our clients’ sites across the U.S. We offer both English and Spanish courses. Browse Classroom Classes
Online
Online courses allow you to align your learning with your personal schedule. This is a great option for students with family and work commitments. Browse Online Classes
Webinar
Live webinars allow you to watch instructors on demand from the comfort of your home or office. Learn, chat with other students, and ask questions in real-time. Browse Live Webinars
Disclaimer
The Asbestos Institute is not the official authority to determine OSHA training requirements, which are set forth in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. OSHA regulations are always being revised, added, and/or deleted, so you must not rely on The Asbestos Institute as the official authority of OSHA asbestos training requirements. Visit the official OSHA Asbestos Training Requirements page here.