Replies

1. Expert Member
   Dana Dorsett | Jul 10, 2019 06:38pm | #1

   It's hard to say for sure from those pictures. There was some asbestos insulation with a similar appearance, but it also could be rock wool. A close-up picture that includes some other object ( a coin or ruler or something) to get a sense of scale might be better.

2. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Jul 10, 2019 07:06pm | #2

   Salty,
   No one can be sure from the photographs, but it might be plain old cellulose.

3. Expert Member
   BILL WICHERS | Jul 10, 2019 10:44pm | #3

   It looks like cellulose to me, but it’s hard to tell. Can you provide a pic of it up close, under good (bright) light?

   Bill

4. 
   ar_t | Jul 10, 2019 11:31pm | #4

   Salty,
   If your concerned, then have it tested. Usually a picture is worth a thousand words, but the answer could cost you a fortune. A picture, in this case, isn't good enough. Asbestos is a bad word in the building trades like lead, and mold. Buildings built before 1978 may have contained asbestos (i.e. popcorn ceilings) or lead (i.e.paint) in some forms.

5. 
   user-6863358 | Jul 11, 2019 09:16am | #5

   The fact that there is an attic ruler visible in the picture would likely indicate that this is cellulose. Attic rulers were not in use when this home was built. My guess is that the cellulose was added long after the home was built.

6. Expert Member
   Dana Dorsett | Jul 11, 2019 11:03am | #6

   With most cellulose it's possible to distinguish individual flakes of news print, and if wetted *& pressed forms a sticky papier-mâché type wad. Neither mineral wool nor asbestos has that characteristic.