CHARACTERIZATION OF ASBESTOS AND NON-ASBESTOS INSULATING MATERIALS

Asbestos is defined as one of six naturally occurring minerals that are fibrous, strong, flexible, inert, and heat resistant. Asbestiform minerals having an aspect ratio of 100:1 or more are recognized as a significant human health hazard. Prior to this recognition and the resulting safety standards, asbestos minerals were casually handled and greatly utilized as insulating material in homes and buildings. Non-asbestos materials such as cellulose, wool, cotton, and other organic fibers were also valued for their insulating properties. These non-asbestos materials, which commonly have a fibrous habit, can be easily misidentified as asbestos during renovations resulting in costly remediation. The purpose of this project is to characterize a wide variety of asbestos and non-asbestos insulating materials found in local homes and buildings in Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Vermiculite, cellulose, horse hair plaster, and fiberglass have been identified in samples collected from Clinton County homes. Optical characterization of these non-asbestos fibrous insulating materials will be presented.