u/wow0rude

We have been finding bits of what appear to be fiberglass ductwork on our floors. That's a whole separate issue, but we will probably be calling in HVAC to look around.

We live in a rental home built in 1957. The home has pink fiberglass insulation. In my reading about what these weird bits could be, I discovered that old fiberglass insulation contains formaldehyde which is not typically a danger unless heated or subject to humidity, then it off-gasses. It gets extremely hot in our attic here, we live in GA. We can literally feel and smell the hot air standing under vents/the attic hatch. The attic is at least somewhat ventilated. We had a leak awhile back above our laundry room which was fixed but who knows what remains up there. We have an infant in the home and it has never occurred to me that formaldehyde could be getting into the house. We are only here for 5 more months.​ I doubt the landlord would agree to pay for this (or the HVAC), but we are prepared to if need be. Just concerned about our little one and pets with the cancer risk.

Is this a concern or am I overthinking it? if so, are there any reliable tests I can do myself?

I recently posted here about a situation where we had someone come in and repair a section of our ceiling (popcorn) but did not contain the area whatsoever. HVAC was running, all that jazz. I was assured that the exposure risk would be very minor​. However, husband is very anxious and is researching air testing. He is looking into TEM, but it is very expensive. He is most concerned about asbestos in the popcorn or underneath, also lead in the paint. House was built in 1954.​

My question is, ​​would a PCM test suffice for this? He is concerned about the smallest asbestos fibers that aren't picked up by PCM. Thanks for any info.

I am 32 weeks pregnant in state of Georgia and our rental company recently brought in a vendor to perform some work on our ceiling in our living room. The ceiling has popcorn. Not sure if asbestos is present. The vendor cut a section out, maybe 25 square foot of the ceiling and replaced it. No safety precautions were taken. I closed my office door and opened a window while the work was done. Any visible debris was already removed (swept and vacuumed) by my husband.

I am seeing that asbestos crossing the placenta is "not likely" according to the CDC, but there are a few studies cited which show that it is possible. So I can't help but worry. Based on most things I have read, any possible exposure to my husband & I were minor. Just worried about it possibly reaching baby. Anyone have any insight?