Some—but not all—types of attic insulation can cause cancer. Get the facts you need about this health risk, along with tips on insulation installation safety.
While modern insulation shouldn’t lead to health problems outside of insulation installation work, that doesn’t mean it’s entirely risk-free. Meanwhile, some older types of insulation are much more dangerous—and can even cause cancer. Keep reading for a detailed overview of the insulation/cancer connection and other health risks you need to be aware of.
Insulation and Cancer: What You Need to Know
Though some forms of insulation can put you at risk of cancer, not every insulation type poses an equal threat. Here’s a closer look at the cancer risk associated with:
Asbestos Insulation
In the past, asbestos was a common choice for home insulation. However, that’s no longer the case—this material is no longer used in residential insulation due to its status as a carcinogen.
According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos exposure can result in multiple forms of cancer. More specifically, this material can cause larynx cancers, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma.
Vermiculite Insulation
On its own, vermiculite insulation does not pose a cancer risk. However, vermiculite itself isn’t the problem—the real issue is that this insulation type is commonly contaminated by asbestos.
Because of that, it’s in your best interest to assume your vermiculite insulation contains this material if it hasn’t already been tested.
While new insulation doesn’t contain vermiculite, that doesn’t automatically mean your home is free from this material. The U.S. Geological Survey has stated that approximately one million American homes contain this form of insulation.
Fiberglass/Mineral Wool Insulation
If you’re buying insulation today, there’s a good chance you’re in the market for fiberglass or mineral wool insulation. In that case, you should know the potential cancer risk associated with these insulation materials isn’t as cut-and-dry as the risk posed by asbestos.
Mineral wool and fiberglass insulation are typically made of glass filaments/wool, slag wool, and rock wool. Though the International Agency for Research on Cancer once classified these materials in Group 2 (probable human carcinogens), they were downgraded to Group 3 (unclassifiable) in 2002.
What this means is that the results of research on mineral wool and fiberglass-related cancer have been mixed. Though there isn’t enough evidence to conclusively say fiberglass and mineral wool cause cancer, there also isn’t enough evidence to prove that they aren’t carcinogenic.
Other Insulation-Related Health Hazards
Along with the cancer risks described above, you should be aware of other health hazards associated with insulation. When you aren’t careful while handling insulation materials, you could end up suffering from:
Skin Irritation
If you touch insulation materials containing fiberglass, you could instantly develop skin irritation or a rash as a result. This is known as “fiberglass dermatitis,” and it’s caused by the tiny glass fibers found in these forms of insulation.
Respiratory Problems
The small fibers found in insulation can also lead to respiratory issues. If you have conditions such as asthma, fiberglass exposure could make them worse—potentially putting your health at risk.
Exposure to Harmful Chemicals
Right after spray foam insulation has been installed (or if it gets damaged), it can off-gas dangerous isocyanate vapors and aerosols. These chemicals can cause lung irritation, chest tightness, fever, and several other symptoms.
How to Avoid Insulation Health Risks
To protect yourself and your loved ones from health problems stemming from insulation, you can:
Test Your Insulation
Do you have a house built before 1980 or a home that uses vermiculite insulation? If you do, testing your insulation for asbestos is a good idea. After you go through this process, you’ll know whether or not your insulation contains this carcinogen.
Deal With Asbestos Insulation
If you find that your insulation does contain asbestos, you may assume you’ll need to get it removed. However, there are instances where this isn’t the safest way to move forward. Instead, you may benefit from encapsulation—a process that creates an airtight seal around your asbestos insulation.
Get Rid of Damaged Insulation
When insulation with asbestos sustains damage, your risk of inhaling the carcinogenic particles it contains could increase. Even if this insulation doesn’t get damaged, insulation can deteriorate after 10-15 years. Because of that, you’ll want to replace your damaged or old insulation ASAP.
Allow Spray Foam Insulation to Cure
If you’re applying your own spray foam insulation, you need to wear personal protective equipment (i.e., gloves, goggles, and a mask) while doing this work. Then, give it time to cure to limit your potential exposure to off-gassing. Though instructions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, you can expect curing to take eight hours to one day for this type of insulation.
Cover Fiberglass Insulation
Usually, leaving fiberglass insulation exposed shouldn’t be an issue. But if this insulation is in a room you regularly use (or if it could get exposed to moisture), it’s usually a good idea to cover it up.
Consider Different Insulation Materials
While you’re planning an insulation installation job, doing some research could help you find particularly safe types of insulation. For example, cellulose is an alternative to blown-in fiberglass made with recycled materials. Along with that, some insulation brands offer non-toxic fiberglass and mineral wool insulation.
How Professional Insulation Installation Keeps You Safe
For the most part, the insulation risks described in this article won’t affect you when your insulation is undisturbed. That said, health problems like fiberglass dermatitis and spray foam off-gassing are all too common during the installation process.
Because of that, adding insulation to your home on your own may not be worth the money you’d save by going the DIY route. The safest way to add or replace insulation in your attic is to hire experts for insulation installation.
Insulation removal is another task you shouldn’t handle on your own. Removing asbestos insulation without knowing what you’re doing can be incredibly dangerous. Insulation that contains this carcinogen should always be removed and replaced by a team of experts.
Your Number-One Choice for Attic Insulation Work
No matter what insulation-related services you have planned, you can count on the pros at Attic Experts to get your job done. We can remove dangerous insulation with ease and replace it with safe new attic insulation. Get the help you need with your attic insulation by contacting us!