Insulation - Good or bad?

[joedogjoe]

Hey there! I'm new to the group.

I was working on my 1961 Shasta Astrodome camper today. I started pulling back the window framing on the inside to repair some of the dry rot around the sill and noticed there was a fuzzy surprise - whitish type insulation between the interior and exterior wood. Could be fiberglass; could be asbestos.

Does anyone know what Shasta originally used to insulate these old gems? It seems like it's the right period for asbestos insulation, especially since it was more popular than fiberglass at the time.

Not trying to start a panic - just curious so I can take adequate precautions as I proceed with my restoration.

Thanks!

JoeDogJoe

[joek]

Well, mine had a more yellowish insulation in between the interior ply and the framing. It looked like regular old fiberglass to me. Never thought to get it tested. The asbestos insulation that I know of from that era is used on heating ducts and is heavier, kind of thick and sheet like. You could always test it just to be safe www.prolabinc.com/products.asp?kit=asbestos

If your floor tile is 9" x 9", then it is asbestos.

[carvelloafer]

Fiber type batt insulation is not likely asbestos from my understanding. It might be mineral wool from that era or possibly just white fiberglass. Mineral wool falls apart easier than fiberglass. All of them are nasty to work with but at least the fibers with fiberglass and mineral wool are not hooked like asbestos. In any case, wear a P-100 HEPA rated respirator and disposable coveralls. Wash everything down with soap and water after regardless.

Asbestos would likely be found in the flooring. Sheet flooring backing had high levels of asbestos and are easy to make airborne when removing. Tiles are more solid and the fibers do not get airborne as easy.

[safetybruce]

Good comments ...I'd also suggest that you have a large heavy mil plastic bag right there as you remove any suspicious material (in as large pieces as possible), and as you handle them, immediately put them into the bag rather than making any kind of pile of stuff, and then handling it a second time to bag it. A disposable HEPA respirator is a must.