Is There a Killer in Your Attic?
It's a fact that homes built before the 1980's or remodeled before this time are likely to contain asbestos. With the current pressure of rising energy prices, many people will be looking to minimize their heating use - and the number one way is to make sure your home is adequately insulated.
And there lies the problem. If your home was built between the 1920's and the late 1980's, the loft is likely to be contaminated with asbestos in the form of Vermiculite insulation. Vermiculite is a mineral that was mined by W R Grace and Co in Montana, where the mines were riddled with asbestos. Vermiculite from these mines is, therefore, contaminated with asbestos. The mining of Vermiculite at the Grace mines continued until the 1990's.
If you have any doubts whatsoever, your best advise is to hire an asbestos professional who will ascertain whether there is a problem with asbestos or not. If asbestos is present you will be given advice on how it should be handled.