The Hidden Dangers of Insulation: Pollution Risks from Burning and Renovating Old Buildings in Los Angeles

Many older buildings in Los Angeles contain insulation materials that, when disturbed, can contribute to air pollution and respiratory diseases.

Safe handling of old insulation is critical to preventing hazardous emissions and ensuring environmental protection during renovations.

Insulation is a common component of buildings, designed to improve energy efficiency, regulate temperature, and reduce noise. However, the insulation used in the construction of older buildings, particularly those constructed prior to the 1980s in the United States, has raised significant environmental and health concerns over the years due to the presence of asbestos.

The Miracle Mineral?

Asbestos was once a popular additive in many construction components due to its durability and heat resistance. It was used in everything from floor and ceiling titles, roofing shingles, adhesives, cement, insulation, and other parts of residential homes and commercial buildings. Asbestos was also used in everyday household products, like hair dryers, kitchenware, and even children’s toys.

However, asbestos was phased out in favor of safer alternatives in the 1980s, after it was declared a human carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), labeled asbestos a class 1 carcinogen in 1977, and since that time, the Environmental Protection Agency has been attempting to achieve a total ban despite industry pushback.

Nearly every building constructed before the mid-1980s contained asbestos building products.

Although newer builds are unlikely to include this toxin because of these efforts, it is still present in many aging structures. When asbestos-ladened insulation, in particular, is disturbed during fires, natural disasters, renovations, or demolitions, it can release harmful pollutants into the air, posing a threat to public health and safety.

This article explores the history of insulation composition, various types on the market, and the dangers associated with its degradation. Aging insulation and the release of toxic fibers amid the LA fires has been a significant concern in the ongoing crisis.

The History of Insulation

Insulation has been a critical component of construction since the 19th century. Builders sought materials that could improve the energy efficiency of homes, reduce noise between rooms, and provide some level of fire resistance. Over the years, several materials emerged as popular choices for insulation, each with unique benefits and risks.

Asbestos became one of the most widely used insulation materials in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its fire-resistant properties, durability, and affordability made it a favorite among builders.

Fiberglass, introduced in the 1930s, has been viewed as a safer alternative to asbestos, and today, it has largely replaced this toxin. By the mid-20th century, cellulose insulation, made from recycled paper, also became a popular choice due to its environmental benefits, and mineral wool, derived from natural or synthetic materials, was another suitable option.

Spray foam insulation, made by combining isocyanates and polyol resin, along with catalysts, flame retardants, and blowing agents, is generally used in hard-to-reach areas where installing traditional insulation is difficult. The application is also quick and easy, making it a go-to option as well. However, like asbestos insulation, spray foam has also been linked to respiratory irritation, asthma, and cancer.

Asbestos: Outstaying its Welcome

Despite the fact that many of these products came to market around the same time that asbestos had gained popularity, the use of asbestos persisted well into the 20th century, and it continued to be the first line choice. It wasn’t until the 1970s, when the severe health risks of asbestos exposure were widely recognized, that regulatory bodies like the EPA began phasing out its use. By the mid-1980s, the insulation used in most construction projects was asbestos-free.

The shift toward safer alternatives such as fiberglass and cellulose marked a turning point toward in public health, but the legacy of asbestos has remained embedded in millions of structures across the United States, including many in Los Angeles. If left undisturbed, asbestos is deemed to be safe. However, with the widespread fires now destroying many older buildings, there is significant concern that non-friable asbestos fibers will be released into the air to be breathed in by those nearby.

The Legacy of Asbestos and Other Hazardous Insulation Materials

The dangers of asbestos lie not just in its immediate presence but in its long-term effects. It is often difficult to determine whether asbestos exposure is the culprit behind certain diseases simply because there tends to be a long latency period between exposure and the onset of symptoms. It is not uncommon for several decades to pass before an individual exposed becomes ill.

However, although asbestos-related diseases appear long after exposure, the fibers that latch themselves into internal tissues begin to damage cellular processes and cause inflammation as soon as they’ve entered the body. It is this cell damage and inflammation that can eventually lead to severe complications.

All asbestos types cause cancer, and there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Today, asbestos is a well-known carcinogen, leading to lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and many other malignancies. It can also cause asbestosis and pleural plaques and can lead to chronic respiratory distress, exacerbating preexisting conditions like COPD, emphysema, and asthma.

In Los Angeles, a city known for its rapid urban development, numerous older structures remain that were erected with asbestos inside. In fact, a significant portion of the city’s buildings predate modern insulation safety regulations. In other words, there are thousands of structures that still contain asbestos insulation, as well as other hazardous materials like lead-based paint, also banned from residential use by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 1978. When these toxins are released into the air as fires spread, anyone in the vicinity is susceptible to ingesting them.

Potential Pollutants from Burning Buildings

The specific pollutants released from burning buildings include asbestos fibers, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins, furans, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). VOCs, released from synthetic insulation materials, contribute to poor indoor and outdoor air quality. Dioxins and furans, toxic byproducts of combustion, pose additional health risks.

Public health advisories often follow building fires, urging residents to limit exposure to smoke and ash. These air quality warnings generally advise residents to wear N95 masks when outdoors and to limit time spent outdoors, in general. Amid the ongoing crisis in Los Angeles, warnings have already been issued as authorities attempt to remove and dispose of debris.

As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense, particularly in areas like Los Angeles, addressing the hazards associated with burning insulation materials, specifically, has become a critical public health priority.

Challenges Ahead of Demolition and Renovation

Demolishing or renovating older buildings poses the include asbestos insulation presents unique challenges. Identifying and safely handling these materials requires careful planning and adherence to strict regulations. Certified professionals must inspect structures for asbestos and other hazardous materials before any work begins. In many cases, permits are required to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Safe removal practices include encapsulating asbestos to prevent fibers from becoming airborne, engaging licensed contractors for abatement, and following disposal regulations for hazardous waste. Despite these measures, the high costs associated with asbestos abatement often deter property owners from taking the necessary precautions. Many are unaware of the risks or legal requirements, further compounding the problem. Failure to comply with regulations can result in significant fines and legal actions, creating additional barriers for property owners.

Looking past the exterior to identify asbestos dangers

The structural integrity of older buildings adds another layer of complexity. Many of these structures have hidden vulnerabilities, such as rotting wood, compromised foundations, or other dangerous conditions due to wear and tear, on top of asbestos-ladened insulation and other toxic construction materials. This instability can complicate demolition or renovation efforts and even make the air quality issue worse.

Los Angeles’s rich architectural history itself is both a blessing and a challenge. A significant portion of the city’s housing predates the 1970s, making these often-picturesque structures more likely to contain hazardous insulation. What’s more, with cases of wildfires skyrocketing in recent years, poor air quality an ongoing risk, making it inevitable that harmful particulates will be eventually breathed in.

Natural Disasters and Asbestos Exposure

Case studies of other fires, natural disasters, and even destruction from terrorist attacks (e.g., the World Trade Center attack) have shown that poor air quality not only leads to immediate respiratory distress but to asbestos-related health complications as well. Since the damage caused in Manhattan on September 11, 2001, more than 71,000 individuals have enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, which tracks health complications related to the attack. Data shows that approximately 68% of these enrollees have been diagnosed with at least one chronic condition, including respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and cancers linked to toxic exposures, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

With the wealth of evidence proving these incidences can lead to asbestos-related conditions, it is fairly easy to predict that the Los Angeles fires will likely do the same. California’s wildfire crisis in general, which gets worse year after year, is bound to release a mass amount of toxins like asbestos, making it especially difficult for cleanup efforts to be effective.

Minimizing the Risks Moving Forward

Addressing the dangers of hazardous insulation requires involvement from various parties and a tailored approach targeting proactive measures to eliminate asbestos in aging buildings. Public education is a critical first step. Awareness campaigns can inform property owners about the risks associated with older insulation materials and the importance of proper abatement. Training programs for contractors and construction workers can also ensure that professional abatement contractors are equipped to handle hazardous materials safely.

New policies and regulations, as well as stricter enforcement of existing legislation, is greatly needed, and effective emergency preparedness plans should also be put into place to address reduced air quality whenever a crisis whits.

By prioritizing safety and awareness, communities like Los Angeles can minimize the risks posed by ongoing fires and protect future generations from the harmful effects of insulation-related pollutants. Although to date there has been minimal effort to eliminate non-friable asbestos in the U.S. due to the vast amount of resources it would take to remediate it entirely, owners have the power to remove asbestos from their properties if they wish. If everyone did their part, ongoing public health risks could decrease substantially.