Hard to tell. Is it sprayfoam?

@sktn77a definitely not spray foam. its like a papery, cardboard-like material. if you google "asbestos duct wrap", it looks very similar to some of the photos.

I know what asbestos duct looks like, but it's hard to tell from your pictures. If you're sure it's not sprayfoam, lets see what others think it is.

My

local hardware stores sell asbestos test kits.

@User Mine sells them too, I just wanted to post the pics here first and see what everyone thought. I've already contacted my landlord and someone is going to come take a look at it.

@sktn77a Not sure if this helps, but here is a photo I took of one of the ducts. They're all coated in this material (possibly asbestos wrap?) and painted green. There are a few spots where it is damaged as well.

The green "paint" could be a DIY attempt at encapsulation, if it is asbestos. Unfortunately, the top picture is too dark to tell what the material is. You can usually get the material tested for asbestos. Do you have a town/city/county/state health and safety department?

@sktn77a I've spoken with my landlord who is having someone come out to take a look, so I've basically done all that I can for now. Thanks for your help!

Good luck!

I've encountered the same thing and it was asbestos-containing. It is a fairly easy DIY removal.

@Seabornman good to know, thanks. I'm hoping my landlord can have a professional come remove it, lol. I'm not sure if I trust myself to safely remove it, especially because it's already pretty badly damaged.

Don't attempt to do it yourself. It's the removal process that potentially puts the fibers into the air.

I don't know where you are but its possible a certified asbestos abatement contractor is required by law and disposal might also be regulated.

Something this small is unlikely to require an asbestos abatement contractor. The material can be sprayed with water and safely removed. Have the landlord remove it and clean the area.

@res2architect yeah I’m absolutely going to wait until my landlord can have someone come look at it.

Out of curiosity, do you think it’s releasing fibers in its current state? It’s obviously pretty damaged, but I know that no one has touched it since we moved in.

As long as it isn't being disturbed, fibers are unlikely to be getting into the air so you wouldn't be breathing them. When its removed remediation methods will be used to prevent you from being exposed.

The abatement requirements will be a matter of state law. Make sure your landlord complies with the law.

What state are you in?

@res2architect Im in Iowa

In Iowa single-family homeowners can remove asbestos materials themselves even though the state does not recommended it. If you're renting a single-family house, perhaps your landlord would be allowed to remove it.

If its not too badly damaged and you are not going to disturb it, you can encapsulate it with materials made for that purpose. How much of it is there?

@res2architect there’s barely any really, a few square feet at most maybe? It’s just bits that have been partially removed in the past. In the photos you can see that it’s pretty damaged and torn. It looks like someone just grabbed a section of it and tore it off.

But, it is a paper-like material, not something that is crumbly. I imagine that I might be able to encapsulate it even though it has some damage, but I really don’t know. I think my landlord is going to send a professional out this week.

Update: I think I found more of the same material inside of one of the vents. Hopefully it hasn’t been blowing fibers around the house... I guess I should get the air tested? Still, I can’t imagine that too many fibers would be released since the material seems mostly intact.

You probably have some more hiding in the walls. I've encountered this stuff in two houses. It's the old-time equivalent to duct tape. it must have been applied wet. The material I've seen absorbs water readily, which makes it easy to remove properly.

@Seabornman Should I be concerned about the fact that it is inside of one of my vents? Do you think it is blowing fibers around, or does the material keep the fibers bound up? Most of it seems intact (except in the places where it has been ripped off), but some of the edges seem frayed.

I’m definitely having the material removed, but I’m wondering if I also should get my air tested.

@Seabornman Good to know. Thanks for all the help!

Get the air tested as well if you suspect that there are fibers in the vent too. A little inconvenience can save your health.