Antique insulation

[JHZR2]

Pulled down some walls in our downstairs powder room (which was redone sometime maybe in the 40s or 50s). Happened upon this rock wool:

Pretty nasty stuff.

Neat to pull it apart, tiny droplets of molten stone in there.

Had to be careful as some rock wool can be carcinogenic.

Just thought it was neat to find insulation from long, long ago...

 

[xxch4osxx]

Hope there is no asbestos in that!

 

[JHZR2]

Me too! THat's why masks were used and it was all pulled very gingerly!

 

[JosephHarmon]

Be careful..breathing. See if there is a date. Does it say W R Grace anywhere on the bag?

 

[01rangerxl]

It's neat to come across stuff like that, but I'm also glad there's none of it in my house.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Most likely Mineral or Rock Wool made from iron ore slag into a fiber, not asbestos.

However, with demo work on older homes its always a good idea to assume something is hazardous until proven otherwise.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Me too! THat's why masks were used and it was all pulled very gingerly!


Both of which did you absolutely no good if it actually contains asbestos or other carcinogenic fibers.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Me too! THat's why masks were used and it was all pulled very gingerly!


Both of which did you absolutely no good if it actually contains asbestos or other carcinogenic fibers.



Rock wool per my searching was NOT made of asbestos. Could it have some? I sure hope not. It was very few pieces, as the exterior wall is only 3x16" stud pockets. I didnt pull tons and it all stayed together.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Me too! THat's why masks were used and it was all pulled very gingerly!


Both of which did you absolutely no good if it actually contains asbestos or other carcinogenic fibers.


P2 mask and paper overalls WILL protect the wearer from asbestos related injury.

And if you travel in any subway, or drink water in most major cities constructed even into the 70s, you are contacting asbestos every single day.

I'm not saying that it's desirable, or good, but facts are facts...and kaowool is probably nearly just as bad.

"Improved" rockwool, in my understanding downunder usually was improved by adding asbestos to make an "inferior" product work better.

 

[eljefino]

I love the art deco typeface.

I sharpie political rants inside my walls for future owners to chuckle over. I also find bud light cans from the 80s in every new nook and cranny.

 

[Rob_Roy]

Rock wool, aka mineral wool is still available today. My house has some, and that is fine with me...it is in the wall doing what it is supposed to do.

 

[andyd]

I dunno if has asbestos or not. Wear protective gear. Rock wool is waaay itchier than the newer stuff

 

[Kruse]

Deep in the back of my mind, I remembered this company having a serious lawsuit problem many years ago with the manufacturing of products containing asbestos. While I'm not saying that your insulation has any asbestos in it, pull up Wiki and do a little reading about Johns Manville.

 

[Shannow]

They all did...sold asbestos way after they knew that it was bad, went bankrupt, and tried to stay off future liabilities.