is this asbestos? (worker from letting agency put my ceiling through today)

Section62

bobster2 said:

From what I've seen asbestos containing loose-fill loft insulation tends to look more like crumbled clay...

Pure asbestos loose fill is usually fibreous in nature, though apperances can vary and it is impossible to tell just from photos.  Vermiculite was also used as loft insulation, and this can be "asbestos containing" - which means internet pictures of 'asbestos loft insulation' can throw up all kinds of examples.

bobster2 said:

Most of the photos you've posted are not photos of your own loft right? Can you stick your head up in the hatch and take a photo? You may see typical rolls of glass wool.

This won't help very much.  People commonly increase the amount of loft insulation they have over time, and it can be the case that glass wool roll has been applied over the top of loose fill asbestos.  Glass wool roll is also great for hiding the fact you've got loose fill asbestos.  If this is the situation then lifting the glass wool to check risks disturbing the asbestos fibre.  So if there is a suspicion absestos fibre might be present it is better to get a professional survey rather than taking a DIY approach.

bobster2

Tabieth said:

There’s some helpful info (including how it identify asbestos and what to do) here

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/faq.htm

Most of that is for employers - but on this page there are some photos of loose asbestos insulation...

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/location-materials.htm

bobster2

Section62 said:

This won't help very much.  People commonly increase the amount of loft insulation they have over time, and it can be the case that glass wool roll has been applied over the top of loose fill asbestos.  Glass wool roll is also great for hiding the fact you've got loose fill asbestos.  If this is the situation then lifting the glass wool to check risks disturbing the asbestos fibre.  So if there is a suspicion absestos fibre might be present it is better to get a professional survey rather than taking a DIY approach.

Yes - good point. However, if it's currently falling through the ceiling and all over the carpet. A quick peek under a roll of glass wool is hardly like to worsen the situation.

Section62

bobster2 said:

Section62 said:

This won't help very much.  People commonly increase the amount of loft insulation they have over time, and it can be the case that glass wool roll has been applied over the top of loose fill asbestos.  Glass wool roll is also great for hiding the fact you've got loose fill asbestos.  If this is the situation then lifting the glass wool to check risks disturbing the asbestos fibre.  So if there is a suspicion absestos fibre might be present it is better to get a professional survey rather than taking a DIY approach.

Yes - good point. However, if it's currently falling through the ceiling and all over the carpet. A quick peek under a roll of glass wool is hardly like to worsen the situation.

I was talking generally, but in the OP's case I don't see what a quick peek under a roll in the loft is going to tell them that the stuff on the floor doesn't?

As HampshireH said, this is a job for the letting agency to sort out.

bobster2

Section62 said:

bobster2 said:

Section62 said:

This won't help very much.  People commonly increase the amount of loft insulation they have over time, and it can be the case that glass wool roll has been applied over the top of loose fill asbestos.  Glass wool roll is also great for hiding the fact you've got loose fill asbestos.  If this is the situation then lifting the glass wool to check risks disturbing the asbestos fibre.  So if there is a suspicion absestos fibre might be present it is better to get a professional survey rather than taking a DIY approach.

Yes - good point. However, if it's currently falling through the ceiling and all over the carpet. A quick peek under a roll of glass wool is hardly like to worsen the situation.

I was talking generally, but in the OP's case I don't see what a quick peek under a roll in the loft is going to tell them that the stuff on the floor doesn't?

As HampshireH said, this is a job for the letting agency to sort out.

If all there is to see in the loft is rolled insulation - that appears to have become shredded where the damage is. Then you know you're dealing with one type of insulation - and if it's in a roll - that sort of narrows things down.

Section62

bobster2 said:

Section62 said:

bobster2 said:

Section62 said:

This won't help very much.  People commonly increase the amount of loft insulation they have over time, and it can be the case that glass wool roll has been applied over the top of loose fill asbestos.  Glass wool roll is also great for hiding the fact you've got loose fill asbestos.  If this is the situation then lifting the glass wool to check risks disturbing the asbestos fibre.  So if there is a suspicion absestos fibre might be present it is better to get a professional survey rather than taking a DIY approach.

Yes - good point. However, if it's currently falling through the ceiling and all over the carpet. A quick peek under a roll of glass wool is hardly like to worsen the situation.

I was talking generally, but in the OP's case I don't see what a quick peek under a roll in the loft is going to tell them that the stuff on the floor doesn't?

As HampshireH said, this is a job for the letting agency to sort out.

If all there is to see in the loft is rolled insulation - that appears to have become shredded where the damage is. Then you know you're dealing with one type of insulation - and if it's in a roll - that sort of narrows things down.

But that's the point.  Just being able to see rolled insulation doesn't mean it is the only material there.  And seeing the same stuff in the loft as is on the floor doesn't move the OP any further forward.

As much as I'd love to say to the OP "That isn't asbestos, don't worry" the truth is none of us can say based only on those pictures or any suggestions for DIY diagnosis.  The only thing that can give a definitive answer is professional asbestos testing.

So the best advice - as per HampshireH's post - is for the OP to shut the door and leave it to the letting agency to sort out.  There's no point spending time and energy on DIY 'solutions' which won't work, when someone else is legally responsible for sorting it out.

pinkshoes

@Marcia_1 - Given the house was built before 1970s, then asbestos containing loft insulation was widely used in the 50s and 60s, so if this is potentially the original insulation then I'd want it testing and the house cleaning properly!

Is this a private rental?

I think I'd be contacting environmental health.