What is Zonolite insulation?
Why is it important to remove vermiculite from the attic?
Where is vermiculite attic insulation?
How deep is vermiculite?
Is vermiculite insulation overpriced?
Does ZAI Trust reimburse for attic insulation?
Do you have to notify DHS before removing vermiculite?
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Is it better to remove asbestos or leave it?
Just having asbestos siding and roofing on your home does not pose a hazard to your health. Asbestos-containing roofing and siding in good condition are best left alone. Damaged roofing and siding should be carefully repaired. Sometimes asbestos-containing roofing and siding can be covered with new materials.
How do you remove asbestos sheet flooring?
Use a chisel or putty knife to dig under the torn area until you're past it. Dispose of each piece of removed flooring (with backing thoroughly wetted) in an asbestos waste disposal bag as you remove it. Repeat this process until the entire floor has been removed.
How do I clean my house after asbestos exposure?
Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. These steps will disturb tiny asbestos fibers and may release them into the air. Remove dust by wet mopping or with a special HEPA vacuum cleaner used by trained asbestos contractors.
How do you remove vermiculite insulation yourself?
Can I remove the vermiculite attic insulation myself? The EPA strongly recommends that "you should never attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire professionals trained and certified to safety remove the material."
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 long does asbestos stay in the air?
The toxic mineral dust can remain in the air for hours, placing anyone nearby in danger of inhaling or ingesting it. In an environment with few disturbances, it may take 48 to 72 hours for asbestos fibers to settle. If the dust is disturbed it can easily become airborne again because it is so light.
Do air purifiers get rid of asbestos?
Technically, the answer is yes. Airborne asbestos fibers are solid particles that vary in size between 0.7 and 90 microns, while HEPA air filters are built to best absorb particles above and below 0.3 microns, so these appliances have no trouble capturing the tiny toxic fibers.
Can asbestos be washed off clothes?
Washing clothes in a washing machine should remove asbestos dust off your clothes.
What are the first signs of asbestos poisoning?
SymptomsShortness of breath.A persistent, dry cough.Chest tightness or pain.Dry and crackling sounds in your lungs when you inhale.Fingertips and toes that appear wider and rounder than usual (clubbing)
Does zonolite have asbestos in it?
Vermiculite mined by the W.R. Grace Company at the Libby Montana mine and marketed under the brand name “Zonolite” has been shown to contain a type of amphibole asbestos fibre, commonly called tremolite.
Is it safe to buy a house with vermiculite insulation?
The Fine “One Percent” Line As we touched upon, the EPA agrees that vermiculite insulation containing less than one percent of asbestos is safe to be used within a home. This sort of insulation typically comes in the form of Zonolite, a common form of insulation that appears as a pebble-like substance.
What percentage of vermiculite has 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. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly cancer.
How do I know if my vinyl sheets have asbestos?
Many types of flooring may contain asbestos, including vinyl tiles, vinyl sheet flooring, linoleum flooring, and laminate flooring....These include the following:Your home was built before 1980.The flooring looks oily, greasy, or discolored.You have 9-inch, 12-inch, or 18-inch floor tiles.The flooring adhesive is black.
What does asbestos flooring look like?
Asbestos tile looks like regular tiles between 9”x9” and 18”x18” in size. Sometimes, dark discoloration appears after years. Due to the danger of exposure, homeowners and construction workers should not disturb or demolish asbestos-containing materials.
How do you remove asbestos floor tile adhesive?
Mastic must be removed using wet methods when it contains asbestos fibers. This can be done by dissolving the mastic with a suitable solvent, then using a HEPA-filter equipped vacuuming device to remove and pick-up the resulting slurry. Mastic cannot be ground, sanded or abraded to accomplish removal.
What can you do with broken asbestos floor tiles?
Dispose of asbestos floor tiles in approved asbestos disposal bags and seal each one as directed. Clean up any remaining bits of adhesive by scraping them off the subfloor while keeping the floor wet, and then scooping them up and putting them in a disposal bag.
Can <1% asbestos vermiculite be removed yourself?
In the province of British Columbia, Canada WorkSafeBC classifies vermiculite with any asbestos as Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). "...(b) vermiculite insulation that would be determined to contain any asbestos if tested in accordance with the Research Method for Sampling and Analysis of Fibrous Amphibole in Vermiculite Attic Insulation (EPA/600/R-04/004, dated January 2004) published by ...
Removing vermiculite | DIY Home Improvement Forum
Hello everyone! I am brand new on this site today. I was hoping someone could give me info on removing vermiculite. We are currently selling our older home and there is a very small amount in the attic of one room, it has become a huge issue with every buyer, but anyhow we have decided to leave it to whoever buys.
Zonolite Insulation - Asbestos Risks, Lawsuits & Abatement
Zonolite is a trademarked brand name of a vermiculite attic insulation that was sold between the 1940s and 1990s. Zonolite is contaminated with tremolite, a highly toxic type of asbestos.
My attic has vermiculite insulation in it. Am I at risk ... - US EPA
If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this material may be contaminated with asbestos and be aware of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from exposure to asbestos.
What is a zonolite?
Zonolite is made out of vermiculite, a naturally occurring mineral with a silver-gold or light brown color. W.R. Grace and Company produced Zonolite with vermiculite from a mine in Libby, Montana, that was contaminated with tremolite asbestos. Zonolite provided an easy DIY attic insulation solution for American homeowners.
When did Zonolite start?
The history of Zonolite began in 1919 when E.N. Alley launched his vermiculite mining business in Libby, Montana.
What to do if your home has asbestos insulation?
If your home contains Zonolite attic insulation, hire an asbestos abatement professional to handle any removal or renovation work that may affect the attic. Licensed asbestos abatement companies are familiar with the federal, state and local regulations involving asbestos removal and disposal. Violating these regulations can lead to hefty fines.
What is the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust?
The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust now serves to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos and to provide partial reimbursement to property damage claimants. This reimbursement is designed to help with of the cost of professional Zonolite removal and asbestos abatement.
What is the color of asbestos in zonolite?
Though it is no longer made, it was widely used and can still be found in millions of homes across the U.S. Zonolite is made out of vermiculite, a naturally occurring mineral with a silver-gold or light brown color.
Is vermiculite a good insulator?
Vermiculite and asbestos have much in common: Both are resistant to fire and chemical corrosion, and both make excellent insulating materials. Pure vermiculite is harmless, but exposure to vermiculite contaminated with asbestos can cause asbestos-related diseases.
Can mesothelioma be filed with a trust fund?
A qualified mesothelioma attorney can review your case to advise whether you qualify to file a claim with these trust funds and any other asbestos trust fund. An attorney can also review your exposure history to determine if you qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Who operated Zonolite?
Pursuant to a legal settlement, W.R. Grace, which operated the Zonolite company from 1963-1990, has funded an independent Trust and claims facility from which eligible claimants may receive partial reimbursement of their cost to remove or contain ZAI in their homes.
What is Zonolite insulation?
Zonolite Insulation is the trademarked name of a product mined in Libby, MT, and sold as attic insulation between the 1940's and mid-1980's. Consisting of the naturally occurring mineral vermiculite, Zonolite was used for decades to insulate millions of American homes. This attic insulation was typically gray-brown or silver-gold in color, consisting of a pebble-like texture. Part of its popularity within the construction industry stemmed from the fact it was lightweight and fire-resistant. Unfortunately, “Libby vermiculite” or Zonolite is known to have contained a small amount of hazardous asbestos. Although not all vermiculite is the Zonolite brand or contains asbestos, the EPA advises that you should assume that vermiculite contains asbestos. Zonolite attic insulation, or “ZAI,” may prove harmful to residents because it remains in many attics and homes across the United States and because it is considered “friable", i.e, easily disturbed and distributed into the air.#N#Pursuant to a legal settlement, W.R. Grace, which operated the Zonolite company from 1963-1990, has funded an independent Trust and claims facility from which eligible claimants may receive partial reimbursement of their cost to remove or contain ZAI in their homes. The Trust will operate for a minimum of 20 years educating the public about the existence of the Trust and the potential health effects associated with asbestos-containing Vermiculite/ZAI. Removing Zonolite as a do-it-yourself project should not be attempted because of the friable asbestos.
Is Zonolite asbestos?
Unfortunately, “Libby vermiculite” or Zonolite is known to have contained a small amount of hazardous asbestos. Although not all vermiculite is the Zonolite brand or contains asbestos, the EPA advises that you should assume that vermiculite contains asbestos. Zonolite attic insulation, or “ZAI,” may prove harmful to residents because it remains in ...
Is Zonolite insulation harmful?
Zonolite attic insulation, or “ZAI,” may prove harmful to residents because it remains in many attics and homes across the United States and because it is considered “friable", i.e, easily disturbed and distributed into the air.
How to prevent loose fibres from contaminating the living space of a home?
To allow for this problem during removal, extreme measures must be taken to prevent loose fibres from contaminating the living space of the home. This will require sealing large areas of the home with plastic and installation of large fans to create a negative pressure situation in the attic. Once removal is complete, a major cleanup will be ...
Can asbestos be removed from a home?
While I understand your concern with future sale of your home, I don't agree that removal should be done, unless absolutely necessary. Asbestos in homes is only a concern if the products that contain it become disturbed, either by damage or by physically moving the products. This may allow the asbestos fibres to become friable, airborne and subject to breathing in by occupants of the home. If you have a reasonably well sealed attic, there is almost no possibility of this happening if nobody enters the attic space. If you have a contractor enter the attic with the expressed desire to remove the offending material, it will have to be grossly disturbed in the process. That will likely release large amounts of friable material, creating a potential problem that didn't exist when the insulation was left dormant.
Where is the Zonolite attic insulation?
The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust is a trust fund that is set up for homeowners in the United States who have asbestos or vermiculite insulation in their attics originating from the Libby Mine in Montana.If you suspect that you have vermiculite insulation in your home or office, call Clean Cut Abatement. Our professional and licensed technicians will safely obtain a sample to be sent for testing. If your sample can be traced to the Libby Mine, you may be eligible for compensation including reimbursement for part of the cost to remediate your home, as well as part of the cost to re-insulate your home.For more information on Zonolite, please visit www.zonoliteatticinsulation.com.
Is vermiculite asbestos?
Zonolite and vermiculite from the Libby Mine contained asbestos and other harmful minerals. Though the mine operators knew that the product was harmful, they failed to inform their employees, residents of Libby, and their customers of the dangers of the product.
How much does it cost to remove asbestos ceiling tile?
Removing asbestos ceiling tile will cost $3.25 to $6 per square foot depending on how the ceiling tile is installed—whether it’s laid in, stapled, or glued. The grid will also need a full clean. Most ceiling tile should be removed rather than have another ceiling installed under it, as the old tile can deteriorate.
How much does it cost to encapsulate asbestos?
Encapsulation costs much less than removal at $2 to $6 per square foot to enclose and seal off asbestos.
What is a friable asbestos?
Friable is the term given to unstable asbestos that crumbles easily, and since it can then easily become an airborne threat to the inhabitants , it presents the greatest danger.
How much does it cost to clean air ducts?
If there is no asbestos present in your air ducts when tested, regular duct cleaning costs an average of $35 per air duct, with most homeowners paying around $350.
When is asbestos demolition allowed?
At the very highest level of contamination, when the house is older than 1970, and there is friable asbestos in the walls, ceilings, and insulation around the water pipes, then demolition might be the only path to take. When demolition is the course of action chosen for a building, the process has to follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s rules and regulations regarding the destruction of asbestos.
How much does asbestos cost to dispose of?
Asbestos Disposal. Asbestos disposal rates are $15 to $25 per square foot to seal waste containing asbestos in leakproof containers, label, remove in clearly marked vehicles, and dispose of in special landfills.
Why is asbestos costing the same as indoor removal?
Outdoor asbestos costs the same as indoor removal because everything must still be contained and removed safely.
How much did the ZAI settlement cost?
While billions of dollars have been paid out for asbestos related health claims, the ZAI Trust settlement exceeds $140 million solely for the removal of vermiculite insulation in U.S. homes.
Why should you not bag vermiculite?
Shoveling and bagging vermiculite should always be avoided because it unnecessarily introduces vast amounts of asbestos fiber into the air. A typical home inspection report revealing the presence of vermiculite. Most home inspectors identify vermiculite and give the buyer good advice, but not all. See referenced article about home inspection ...
How much energy savings would you get from a 1,000 sq ft ranch?
A typical energy savings of over $300 per year for a 1,000 sq-ft ranch that contained 5″ of vermiculite. This is the typical report that is run when a Focus on Energy Trade Ally performs a whole-house energy assessment. The expected annual savings for a 2,000 sq-ft ranch would be closer to $500.
Is vermiculite insulation safe?
Unfortunately, almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed. Homeowners and buyers often want to know if they should leave ...
Can you replace vermiculite with cellulose insulation?
The issue is not just replacing the vermiculite with a better type of insulation, such as cellulose. Equally important is the need to “air seal” the attic plane after the vermiculite is removed and before the new insulation is blown in. The step of “air sealing” the attic plane has been a building code requirement for new construction homes ...
Can you encapsulate vermiculite?
Some misguided contractors claim they can encapsulate vermiculite by blowing additional insulation over it. This is absolutely false as an encapsulation of loose vermiculite can not be achieved by adding cellulose, fiberglass, or even plastic over the top. In fact, these attempts greatly increase the future cost of removing the vermiculite because the new material is in contact with the vermiculite and is now contaminated. As a result, buying a home with vermiculite is buying a liability. And while some buyers may not be concerned about vermiculite, there is a high probability that the next buyer will be.
Is vermiculite a liability?
As a result, buying a home with vermiculite is buying a liability. And while some buyers may not be concerned about the vermiculite, there is a high probability that the next buyer will be. With the availability of 55% reimbursement from the ZAI Trust most realtors and home inspectors are properly identifying vermiculite ...
What is Zonolite insulation?
Vermiculite sold under the brand name “Zonolite” was used well into the 1980s. Over 80% of the vermiculite installed in southeast Wisconsin is believed to be Zonolite brand attic insulation (ZAI). One of our nation’s largest environmental and health disasters, Libby, Montana is one of the EPA’s largest superfund sites.
Why is it important to remove vermiculite from the attic?
There are three primary reasons for moving ahead with removal. The presence of vermiculite greatly reduces the value of your home. There is no reliable test to determine if the vermiculite in your attic contains asbestos, so don’t waste your money on a test others will deam meaningless.
Where is vermiculite attic insulation?
With large processing plants in both Milwaukee and Kenosha that received the raw vermiculite mineral by railroad from Libby, Montana, vermiculite attic insulation is estimated to be in thousands 0f homes in southeast Wisconsin.
How deep is vermiculite?
When vermiculite is 6-8″ deep the cost to remove increases. In this picture, the vermiculite is in contact with both fiberglass and cellulose, and these materials must also be treated as contaminated. There is also roofing material and other debris that will need to be removed. Click the image to view it in full size.
Is vermiculite insulation overpriced?
Regardless of what the owner/seller thinks, anyone purchasing a home with vermiculite insulation is overpaying unless the full cost of professional removal and re-insulation of the vermiculite insulation has been deducted from the price, or agreed to be paid by the seller.
Does ZAI Trust reimburse for attic insulation?
Answer: Every homeowner will have to decide for themselves, but because the ZAI Trust will reimburse 55% of the cost of professional removal and re-insulation it is now a safe and wise investment. Keep in mind the insulation must be found to be consistent with Zonolite attic insulation in order to be eligible for the 55% reimbursement. There are three primary reasons for moving ahead with removal.
Do you have to notify DHS before removing vermiculite?
As a result, anyone disturbing or removing vermiculite is required to notify DHS prior to disturbing or removing it. This offers protection to both the workers and the homeowner as DHS can then stop by unannounced and check for proper licensing and work practices of the licensed asbestos abatement company.
Safety
Environment
- During the decades when Zonolite was manufactured, most of the worlds supply of vermiculite came from the town of Libby, Montana, which became so contaminated by asbestos that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now been working to clean the area up for almost 20 years. The Zonolite insulation distributed across the nation will haunt American homes for man…
Early history
- The history of Zonolite begins when E.N. Alley launched his vermiculite mining business in Libby, Montana, almost a century ago. Alley created the Zonolite brand as a commercial name for the mineral, and more than 40 years later, in 1963, his business was acquired by W.R. Grace and Company, becoming its Zonolite Division.
Effects
- By the time W.R. Grace took over the operation, the asbestos hazard was clear. Asbestos dust had already caused lung diseases and deaths among vermiculite miners and processing plant workers, but the companys executives ignored this information. They continued growing the Zonolite business throughout the 1970s, even as more employees and residents of the town fell …
Controversy
- It is estimated W.R. Grace processed nearly 200,000 tons of vermiculite from the Libby mine each year until the mine finally ceased operations in 1990, far too late to spare W.R. Grace from the wave of lawsuits to come. The Libby mine and surrounding areas were declared a superfund site in 2002, and the EPA now advises all American homeowners to take extreme caution with Zonoli…
Risks
- People have the greatest risk of developing an illness such as asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma when they are exposed to asbestos dust on a regular basis over many years, and any activity that disturbs Zonolite can potentially release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Working with contaminated Zonolite directly during home construction or renovation creates a …
Aftermath
- Throughout the 1990s, so many personal injury and property damage lawsuits were filed against W.R. Grace over asbestos exposure that the company finally sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001, along with 61 of its affiliates. After a drawn-out legal process, the plan of reorganization was confirmed in 2011, becoming effective in 2014. The reorganization required …
Performance
- Combined, these two trusts are worth more than $4 billion. Payments totaled more than $353 million in 2015, with thousands of claimants receiving compensation.
Prevention
- If your home contains Zonolite attic insulation, consult or hire an asbestos abatement professional to assist with any removal or renovation work that may affect the attic.