Is There Asbestos In Vermiculite Insulation

The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos.

Is there asbestos in vermiculite insulation.

You can be exposed to asbestos by disturbing building insulation or other products with asbestos containing vermiculite. Vermiculite loose fill insulation is one of the most common household materials that contains asbestos. Vermiculite insulation product from the libby mine in montana is known to contain high levels of amphibolic asbestos. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine so the vermiculite from libby was contaminated with asbestos.

Vermiculite ores often contain a range of other minerals including in some cases asbestos. Where does the asbestos come from and why is it a health concern. Asbestos fibers can cause respiratory system and lung diseases including cancer. Vermiculite insulation has a pebble like appearance and typically is a grayish brown or silvery gold color.

Extracted from the mine between 1920 and 1990 this vermiculite insulation was sold mainly but not exclusively under the trademark zonolite attic insulation. Vermiculite itself has not been shown to be a health problem. As long as the asbestos is not released into the air it is not harmful. Consider this statement from research titled zonolite attic insulation exposure studies where even the suggested method for removal by the manufacturer.

If it is not being disturbed there is very little exposure and very little danger. If there s gray brown pebbly insulation on the attic floor it most likely contains enough asbestos to be a hazard to the people living there. The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics. How do i know if there is vermiculite insulation in my home.

What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits. It is made from a natural mineral material that is mined from the earth. As long as this kind of vermiculite based insulation remains undisturbed behind intact walls or in attic spaces and does not become airborne it should not be a concern. Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne.

Concerns about asbestos contaminated vermiculite insulation a mine near libby montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the united states from 1919 to 1990. The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. Go to top. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.

However some vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibres which can cause problems if inhaled. It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990.