Is vermiculite without asbestos safe?
Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. Unfortunately, almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed.
Should I remove vermiculite insulation?
remove the material. • You should never attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire professionals trained and certified to safely remove the material. What if I occasionally have to go into my attic? EPA and ATSDR strongly recommend that homeowners make every effort not to disturb vermiculite insulation in their attics. If you
Does vermiculite react with acid?
Vermiculite was activated by 25% concentrated sulfuric acid H 2 SO 4 during 6 hours with the temperature 95ºC ratio of solid and liquid phases S:L = 1:5. Also influence of treatment by 5, 10, 15, 20, 25% concentrated sulfuric acid H 2 SO 4 with ration S:L = 1:10 and under the same conditions was considered.
Is vermiculite insect resistant?
Vermiculite. Features of vermiculite. Security, Ease and Eco friendly. Radiation adsorption & deterrent. Harmful substance adsorption. Processable. Low-carbon & Energy saving. Insects-prevent & mildew resistant. Fire resistance & non combustible.
How often does vermiculite contain asbestos?
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is perfectly safe when pure. Unfortunately, an estimated 75 percent of it came from Libby, Montana, where it usually was contaminated with toxic amphibole asbestos.
When did vermiculite stop having asbestos?
1990Asbestos was found primarily in the unmixed vermiculite product sold separately as a soil amendment. However, some was found in premixed potting soils. Because the Libby mine closed in 1990, newer products are not expected to contain significant amounts of asbestos.
Can vermiculite be tested for asbestos?
Currently, there are specific technical issues involving vermiculite sampling that can complicate testing for the presence of asbestos fibers and interpreting the risk from exposure. EPA and ATSDR are not recommending at this time that homeowners have vermiculite attic insulation tested for asbestos.
Does vermiculite need to be disclosed?
What about vermiculite? Federal law does not require the seller to disclose to a buyer that their home contains asbestos or vermiculite. State or local requirements may require disclosure.
What happens if you breathe in asbestos once?
Is One-Time Exposure Harmful? It is possible to develop an illness such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, pleural effusions or lung cancer after a one-time exposure to asbestos if the exposure was significant enough to lead to asbestos particles lodging in the body's tissues.
How much exposure to asbestos will cause mesothelioma?
There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. Even one-time asbestos exposure can lead to asbestos-related diseases such as pleural thickening, lung cancer or mesothelioma.
What percent of vermiculite has asbestos?
The asbestos present in vermiculite is not bound up like it typically is in a building material and therefore the risk is potentially greater, even at percentages well below 1%. Unfortunately the 1% rule still predominates and often times a Qualitative result will not suffice no matter how much sense it makes.
Can you leave vermiculite alone?
If the attic or walls of a house contain vermiculite insulation, leave it alone. Avoid disturbing the material. Do not sweep it or vacuum it up.
How can you tell if a product contains asbestos?
In order to be certain of asbestos, samples should be sent to a specialist laboratory. This is the only definitive way to tell whether asbestos is present, and which variation of it is contained in the material. The information laboratories provide can help you deal with its removal/maintenance accordingly.
Can vermiculite be asbestos free?
Vermiculite and gardening use Not all vermiculite products contain asbestos, but some do. An EPA study showed some vermiculite products contain low levels of asbestos. Asbestos is found primarily in the unmixed vermiculite product although some was found in pre-mixed potting soils.
Should you wear a mask when working with vermiculite?
To ensure this level of protection, workers should be fitted with half-face respirators fitted with high-efficiency (e.g. N100) filters or supplied-air (e.g. air-line or SCBA) respirators. Disposable respirators or dust masks are not appropriate for protection against asbestos fibers.
Is it safe to use vermiculite?
EPA's investigation (https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-asbestos-contaminated-vermiculite-insulation) into these products indicates that consumers face only a minimal health risk from using vermiculite products at home or in their gardens.
What year did asbestos stop being used?
Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation. Asbestos may be present in textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
When did asbestos stop being used in products?
On July 12, 1989, the EPA issued a ban on most asbestos-containing products.
Is asbestos still used in 2022?
Asbestos No Longer Used Everywhere According to U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Commodity Summaries, January of 2022, the estimated consumption in 2021 was 320 tons, much of it from stockpiled reserves.
What years did they use asbestos insulation?
Asbestos was used extensively in home construction from the early 1940s through the 1970s as highly-effective and inexpensive fire-retardant material and thermal and acoustic insulator. It is now known that prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to lung disease.
Is it safe to breathe asbestos?
There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. Ingesting or inhaling increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other respiratory diseases that occur later in life.
Can you replace asbestos insulation for free?
And there’s more! After having us remove your asbestos insulation, you can have us replace it with safe insulation for free! We will insulate the area at no cost on your part to let enjoy a healthy and energy-efficient living home. Our offer is for a limited period only, so don’t miss this great opportunity. Call us now and book our service to get rid of your concerns at once. RidAway will help keep your home clean, safe, and secured!
Can asbestos fibers be seen?
Asbestos fibers cannot be seen by the naked eye. Only trained laboratory technicians can determine the presence of these harmful fibers.
Can asbestos fibers get through insulation?
There are also cases where the air ventilation system disturbs the insulation, causing asbestos fibers to get through the living areas. If you want to ensure safety, hire a service contractor to monitor the indoor air quality. The health department also recommends getting a service company specializing in asbestos remediation to collect samples and have them tested.
What are the health risks of vermiculite containing asbestos?
Asbestos can cause health problems when inhaled into the lungs. Breathing in very small, airborne asbestos fibres has been associated with diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
What is vermiculite used for?
This expanded form, and the fact that vermiculite does not burn, made the material suitable for use as insulation.
How long does asbestosis last?
The development and progression of asbestosis varies from individual to individual. It is often slow with little changes over five, ten or more years. Many cases do not advance after diagnosis. It may, however, be quicker in some individuals than in others due to different conditions of past dust exposure. Asbestosis is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis (the formation of scar-like tissue). Shortness of breath is the most common symptom. In most cases, the first and often the only physical sign is "crackles" - sounds that can be heard through a stethoscope. Also known as "rales", they are usually detected near the end of a full inspiration. Chest x-rays will show small irregular opacities (spots in x-ray film that are opaque or where x-rays could not "see" through the tissue). These are commonly found in the middle and lower lungs. Lung function tests can help to determine how serious the condition is.
How to minimize asbestos exposure?
The best way to minimize asbestos exposure from vermiculite is to NOT remove or disturb the insulation. Moving the vermiculite will cause fibres to become airborne. The following precautions will prevent releasing asbestos fibres into the air:
Where is the Zonolite insulation?
Of concern is Zonolite® Attic Insulation; this insulation was sold in Canada under the name of Zonolite® and was extracted from the Libby Mine in Montana, USA. This mine had a natural deposit of asbestos which resulted in the vermiculite being contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite produced by the Libby Mine has not been on ...
What is the first physical sign of asbestos?
Shortness of breath is the most common symptom. In most cases, the first and often the only physical sign is "crackles" - sounds that can be heard through a stethoscope.
Is vermiculite asbestos?
Not all vermiculite sold in Canada before 1990 contains asbestos fibres. However, if you believe that your home may contain vermiculite insulation, it is reasonable to assume that it may be contaminated with asbestos.
What is vermiculite made of?
What is Vermiculite. Vermiculite is a naturally-occurring mineral composed of shiny flakes, resembling mica. When heated to a high temperature, flakes of vermiculite expand as much as 8-30 times their original size.
What is expanded vermiculite?
The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, and odorless material and has been used in numerous products, including insulation for attics and walls. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long.
What color is vermiculite insulation?
Vermiculite insulation is a pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually gray-brown or silver-gold in color.
Can asbestos be released into the air?
Any disturbance could potentially release asbestos fibers into the air. If you absolutely have to go in your attic and it contains vermiculite insulation, you should limit the number of trips you make and shorten the length of those trips in order to help limit your potential exposure. We recommend that you:
Can you inhale asbestos?
If you remove or disturb the insulation, it is probable that you may inhale some asbestos fibers - the degree of health risk depends on how much and how often this occurred. If you do not go into your attic, handle, or disturb the insulation, it is likely that you will not be exposed to asbestos fibers from vermiculite insulation.
Is asbestos a health risk?
Asbestos causes cancer and other diseases. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers must be airborne to cause a health risk through inhalation, so the first step is not to disturb the material, which would release more fibers into the air.
What is the best doctor to consult for asbestos?
If you are concerned about possible exposure, talk to your doctor and consider consulting a physician who specializes in lung diseases, also known as a pulmonologist. For more information on asbestos-related diseases see the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Web site.
How to tell if vermiculite insulation is asbestos?
To tell whether old vermiculite insulation contains asbestos, a technician has to examine a sample of it under a high-power microscope at a lab. It is safest to assume that old vermiculite insulation contains asbestos until a laboratory analysis proves otherwise.
Where does vermiculite come from?
Before 1990, about 80 to 90% of ALL of the vermiculite sold in the USA and Canada came from the Libby Montana, WR Grace vermiculite mine. The vermiculite from that mine was contaminated with asbestos, and what is also called “Libby Amphiboles”, which are asbestiform minerals which, although not one of the 6 minerals (out of hundreds of amphiboles) identified as being “asbestos” by the EPA and OSHA, “Libby Amphiboles” are certainly highly carcinogenic.
Is vermiculite dangerous?
Asbestos is dangerous when it gets into the air as dust, so disturbing asbestos-containing vermiculite can lead to hazardous as bestos exposure. But if you leave asbestos-containing vermiculite completely undisturbed, it is not dangerous.
Is vermiculite contaminated with asbestos?
Vermiculite found in buildings built before the ban on asbestos may (or may not) be contaminated with asbestos, although depending on where it was sourced the likelihood might higher or lower. (For example, prior to its closure in 1990, the vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana apparently had relatively high levels of asbestos in its mined products, leading to a major scandal and controversy over whether mine officials had engaged in a cover-up of the asbestos risk to the town).
Can you get a false negative from Vermiculite?
Just scooping up 3 samples and sending them to a qualified lab, and asking for PLM analysis will very likely give you a “false negative”. Vermiculite requires careful sampling, specifically designed to include the areas where the asbestos is most likely to be present, AND expensive analysis to “prove” that it does not contain asbestos or “Libby Amphiboles” (which are some of the nearly 100 “asbestiform minerals” that have all the deadly properties of asbestos, but were not commercially mined, and therefore not included in the OSHA and EPA regulatory definitions of the 6 “asbestos” minerals).
Is vermiculite asbestos free?
But generally speaking, as long as the vermiculite you buy is properly sourced and purchased from a reputable vendor, it’s probably fine to assume it is asbestos-free. But, if you have any concerns, you might be able to reach out to the vendor to ask about their quality control process, or request your local department of health and/or zoning commission if they have any guidance on where and how to get independent testing performed on any vermiculite of dubious provenance.
Can vermiculite be contaminated?
Not necessarily. Although vermiculite certainly can be contaminated with asbestos, since the 1990s most vermiculite mined by reputable mines is regularly tested for asbestos contamination, as is most commercially available vermiculite found in areas where asbestos is tightly regulated.
Where does the vermiculite insulation come from?
Somewhere between 75% – 85% of all vermiculite insulation sold in the U.S. came from a mine in Libby, Montana, and was sold under the name Zonolite.
Do home inspectors have to report vermiculite?
For the record, vermiculite looks like the stuff in the photos above and is often covered by other types of insulation. Also, home inspectors are not required to report on the presence of environmental contaminants, but most home inspectors will still educate their clients about stuff like this when they can.
Can you get Zonolite insulation in your attic?
If you’re a homeowner with vermiculite insulation in your attic, there’s a good chance that you have Zonolite, which means there is money available to help reimburse you for the costs to remove it and re-insulate. I recommend looking into this.
Is vermiculite asbestos?
If the insulation needs to be removed or disturbed, my advice has previously been to recommend first having it tested for asbestos. When vermiculite is tested for asbestos and is found to contain less than 1% asbestos, it is considered to NOT be asbestos containing. The EPA defines asbestos-containing material or “ACM” as having >1% asbestos.
When was vermiculite discovered?
Vermiculite was first identified in 1881 in a mine near Libby, Montana. In 1919, Dr. Edward Alley discovered that vermiculite expanded (popped like popcorn) when heated. This expansion created pockets of air that made the material suitable for use as insulation and provided better drainage in dense garden soils.
Where is the largest vermiculite mine in the world?
The largest vermiculite mines continue in Brazil, China, and South Africa. As of 2017, there were only two vermiculite mines still operating in the United States, both in the eastern Appalachian mountain ranges of Virginia.
What is the name of the worm-like material that grows in heat?
When subjected to heat, vermiculite has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like pieces (the name vermiculite is derived from the Latin ‘vermiculare’ – to breed worms). Vermiculite has been employed in various industries for more than 80 years.
Is asbestos in attic insulation a problem?
It should not be disturbed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated in 1985 that 940,000 American homes contained asbestos-laden Zonolite attic-fill from the contaminated Libby mine in Montana.
Can you use vermiculite in the garage?
If you have bags of old or imported vermiculite soil amendment in the garage, it would be best to throw them out. Bags of horticultural vermiculite produced from mines in the United States after 1990 are probably safe to use. But as with any fibrous material that creates dust when disturbed, you should always wear a mask, take the vermiculite outside before using it, and dampen it with water before mixing it into your soil.
Can you use vermiculite to amend soil?
You must be sure you are opening a recently purchased bag and not unsealing an old product that has been in your gardening shed for decades.
Is asbestos ore toxic?
Tremolite asbestos fibers are generally longer and break apart more easily than other asbestos fibers. They are also believed to be more toxic.
