In the interest of long-term air quality in the workshop, I donned a hooded dry-suit, goggles, gloves, and respirator and endeavored to fill 38, 44-gallon trash bags with deteriorating, moldy, fiberglass batten insulation. A previous owner had gone through much effort insulating the basement ceiling in this way and I went through much effort getting it out cleanly. The job was defeating and on the second day, half-finished, I began rationalizing a "partial" removal. In the end I stuck with it and cleared the entire overhead space. By my calculations (Regional Climate, Earth-Bermed Temperature-Stable Basement, Insulation Quality, etc.) the removal will have minimal effect on the home's temperature and would have been much better served in the attic.

The workshop floor is now free from obstruction along its entire length and the overhead joists are clean and free from fiberglass droppings and particulates.