I am looking at buying a house with rockwool insulation in the attic, 6-8" loose fill, like cellulose. I've read taht depending on the age of the material(which is unknown, but probably not recent) this can contain asbestos or can otherwise be cancer-causing. The owner doesn't want us to test the material for asbestos. We are wondering how much it might cost to remove this kind of material, if it is hazardous. Thanks.

kblum

mineral wool a.k.a. rock wool is a silica based stranded insulation, very similar to fiberglass. Asbestos is a fiberous form of silica, and traces of material that appear similar to asbestos under polarized light microscopy may suggest a small asbestos content. Personally, I have never gotten a positive result form sampling mineral wool, but its not unheard of. A small bulk sample can establish the presence or absence of asbestos, and is very inexpensive. Request it before you buy as a condition of purchase.

Rock wool is a skin, eye and respiratory irritant and needs to be handled with gloves and respiratory protection. Removal is not regulated, and can be accomplished with commercial vacuum service. I don't know the cost, but somce it is not specifically hazardous, you are paying labor and equipment rates; not removal specialist rates.

this is a very old post, however, correct info needs to be posted. I am the manufacture rep for rockwool..If you need info regarding insulation, go to NAIMA's website...you can also go to epa.org....and of course Amerrock.com...Rockwool is made of slag, which is a recycled steel product, and rock, a trap rock mined in Texas...those are the only raw materials in rockwool insulation..we use "coke" which is a recyled material from coal..it is used to make the heat hotter in the manufacturing process, in order to save energy...rockwool is the safest insulation on the market today...it also has one of the best thermal insualting properties as well as a superior sound control while not supporting mold or mildew..all while not having to add any chemicals...many other insulation products on the market today are either all chemcial, foams, or have chemicals added to them to keep them fire retardant, cellulose...

Janese Creech
Amerrock Products, LP
214-263-4195