Vermiculite forms by the weathering or hydrothermal alteration of biotite or phlogopite. Large commercial vermiculite mines currently exist in the United States of America, Russia, South Africa, China, and Brazil . Vermiculite was first described in 1824 for an occurrence in Millbury, Massachusetts.
How dangerous is vermiculite?
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. Thereof, How dangerous is zonolite?
Is vermiculite harmful?
Vermiculite in its pure form is safe. Indeed, most vermiculite on the market today is very safe. The reason this can be said with confidence today is that it was not always the case. Previous mines have been contaminated with asbestos. This means that vermiculite processed in the 1990s was likely to be toxic.
Does all vermiculite contain asbestos?
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.
What does vermiculite look like?
When vermiculite is in its original form, it looks shiny and almost black. You can even find some light-colored veins on it. However, once it’s heated at super high temperatures and popped, it changes its looks. It appears more like something in pastel shades – khaki, brown, or yellowish-brown. Unlike perlite, it looks like rocks.
Commercial uses
Commercial manufacture of exfoliated vermiculite
Fireproofing
What is vermiculite mined for?
Vermiculite is a mineral that rapidly expands when heated. Expanded vermiculite is used in construction and consumer materials. Vermiculite mined near Libby, Montana, which accounted for more than half the worldwide production of vermiculite from 1925 to 1990, was contaminated with asbestos and asbestos-like fibers.
How do we get vermiculite?
It is derived from rocks containing large crystals of the minerals biotite and iron-bearing phlogopite. As these rocks are exposed to the weather, they start to decompose, allowing water to enter and react with the various chemicals present. As the decomposition and chemical reactions proceed, vermiculite is formed.
Is there still asbestos in vermiculite?
Vermiculite and gardening use 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. For consumers using vermiculite on an infrequent basis the health risk is low.
Is vermiculite still sold?
It is estimated that the Libby mine was the source for almost 80 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1923 until the mine closed in 1990. While the Libby mine is no longer operating, vermiculite-mining operations are still found worldwide.
Is vermiculite safe now?
Vermiculite insulation is no longer used in new construction, but an estimated one million homes in the U.S. still have it, according to the USGS. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is perfectly safe when pure.
Is vermiculite poisonous to humans?
Vermiculite itself is safe to use; there is no evidence that any acute or chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity exists from long-term exposure to vermiculite.
How can you tell if vermiculite has asbestos?
How can I tell if my vermiculite insulation contains asbestos? The majority of all vermiculite insulation pro- duced before 1990 used contaminated vermicu- lite from Libby. Asbestos fibers in vermiculite are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Only a trained technician using a microscope can see asbestos fibers.
What happens if you breathe in asbestos once?
Once lodged in the lung tissue, these fibers can cause several serious diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis (a scarring of the lung tissue) and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung cavity).
Can you remove vermiculite yourself?
If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations that would disturb the vermiculite, hire professionals trained and certified to handle asbestos to safely remove the material. You should never attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire professionals trained and certified to safely remove the material.
What can I use instead of vermiculite?
Alternatives to VermiculitePeat. Peat (also known as peat moss) is light and holds moisture well but not does not stay soggy. ... Coir. Coir is coconut dust. ... Perlite. Like vermiculite, perlite is an inorganic matter added to the garden to improve water drainage and permeability. ... Sawdust. ... Shredded Hardwood Bark or Wood Chips.
How long does vermiculite last?
I heard that vermiculite last for 2 years, until it decomposes, then you have to add it again. However perlite lasts for a long time. Also vermiculite, could have some asbestos, or, asbestos like material/fine dust that could cause some breathing problem down the road.
Is perlite the same as vermiculite?
The biggest difference between vermiculite and perlite is moisture retention. When making the perlite vs. vermiculite decision, keep in mind that differences between the two include the fact that vermiculite contains nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which perlite doesn't have.
What is vermiculite made out of?
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral (magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate) that is mined in various countries around the world, including the USA and South Africa. It gets its name from the Latin 'vermiculare', which means to breed worms, and the English suffix 'ite' which mean mineral or rock.
What percentage 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 I remove vermiculite myself?
Do not attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire a professional asbestos contractor if you plan to remodel or conduct renovations that would disturb the vermiculite in your attic or walls to make sure the material is safely handled and/or removed.
Does garden vermiculite contain asbestos?
Not all vermiculite garden products contain asbestos, but an EPA study showed that some contain low levels of asbestos. Asbestos was found primarily in the unmixed vermiculite product sold separately as a soil amendment. However, some was found in premixed potting soils.
What is the cation substitution rate of vermiculite?
Cation substitution in vermiculite is largely Al3+ →Si 4+ replacement in the tetrahedral sheet, identical in location but significantly less than the 1-of-4 substitution rate in micas ( Fig. 3.13 ). Smectite group minerals ( Fig. 3.13 ), distinguished from vermiculite by lower layer charge, reveal cation substitution in both the octahedral sheet (e.g., Mg 2+ →Al 3+ in montmorillonite) and Al 3+ →Si 4+ substitution in the tetrahedral sheet (e.g., beidellite).
What is vermiculite mica?
Vermiculite is a mica, a hydrated, magnesium–iron–aluminum trioctahedral sheet silicate of varied composition. Its basic unit is two tetrahedral silicate sheets interlayered by an octahedral sheet that contains aluminum and iron (Grim 1962). Each tripartite layer, on its upper and lower surfaces, has regularly arranged “holes” that oppose corresponding sites on other layers. In biotite, potassium atoms occupy these sites; in vermiculite, only some sites are occupied, and these only by magnesium, but a double layer of water molecules also is present in these interlayer regions.
How do vermiculites form?
Vermiculites in soils are believed to form almost exclusively from the weathering of micas and chlorites. The weathering of micas to vermiculite (or smectite) is believed to occur by replacement of K + in the interlayer sites with hydrated exchangeable cations. The integrity of the 2:1 layer is preserved, but there is a reduction in the layer charge. Vermiculite does not swell as extensively as smectite and this is shown in Figure 5 by the presence of only two planes of water molecules surrounding the hydrated cations in the interlayer space.
How many test tubes can you put vermiculite in?
Pour a capful of fine vermiculite into each of 10 test tubes (25 × 150 mm).
What is the charge of vermiculite?
Vermiculite has a 2:1 layer structure as described for mica, but, instead of having a layer charge of ∼1 per formula unit and K+ in interlayer positions, vermiculite has a layer charge of 0.9–0.6 per formula unit and contains hydrated exchangeable cations, primarily Ca and Mg, in the interlayer (Figure 5). A typical formula for an idealized vermiculite weathered from muscovite is: M 0.75 + Al 2 (Si 3.25 Al 0.75) O 10 (OH) 2, where M + represents exchangeable cations. The high charge per formula unit gives vermiculite a high cation exchange capacity and causes vermiculte to have a high affinity for weakly hydrated cations such as K +, NH 4 +, and Cs +. Fixation of K + by vermiculite can be significant in soils that are high in vermiculite and that have not received large amounts of chemical fertilizers.
How are suspended particle fractions prepared?
If no fibers are found by stereomicroscopy, the suspended particle fractions are prepared from the subsamples using the liquid suspensions after the floats and sinks have been removed. The suspensions are brought up to a volume of one liter and sonicated for two minutes. The suspensions are then agitated by bubbling filtered oxygen for one minute through the liquid using a 10 milliliter glass pipette at a flow rate of approximately 4 liters per minute. One- and 10-milliliter aliquots of each suspension are removed and filtered through 0.2 μm pore size polycarbonate filters. The filters are prepared and analyzed following the standard procedures as described in ISO 13794 ( ISO, 1999 ). Analyses are performed on a transmission electron microscope with an x-ray analysis system.
How to determine asbestos levels?
The TEM analysis includes characterization of fiber crystal structure by selected area electron diffraction. Methods for both types of electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) utilize an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer to analyze the fibers for their elemental composition. Many methods exist for determining asbestos levels in a variety of materials. A number of consensus standards groups, such as ASTM International, American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the International Standards Organization (ISO), have published methods on asbestos ( ASTM, 2002, 2009; AWWA, 1994; ISO, 1995 ). The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the states of California and New York have promulgated methods for use in the United States ( AHERA, 1987; OSHA, 1997; NIOSH, 1994a; CARB, 1988; NYSDH, 2003 ). Methods have also been developed and have been in use in other countries, such as Australia ( Australia, 2004 ), Germany ( VDI, 1991 ), and the United Kingdom ( HSE, 1990 ). Information about many of the asbestos analysis methods, including those for asbestos in air, water, bulk building materials, surface dust ( Millette, 2011a ), carpet ( Millette et al., 1993), and specific product materials such as vermiculite, is found in Millette and Bandli (2005) and Millette (2006, 2011a). Some recent work on method development has involved the determination of asbestos in soil and cosmetic grade talc. ASTM D7521-13, Standard Test Method for Determination of Asbestos in Soil, was balloted by the D22 Committee and accepted in 2012 ( ASTM, 2012 ). Three separate methods for the analysis of talcum powder by polarized light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction (XRD) are under development by the D22.07 subcommittee of ASTM International. Using acid/base digestion preparation methods to dissolve chrysotile and other matrix materials ( Addison and Davies, 1990; Millette, 2009b ), low levels of amphibole asbestos fibers have been found in chrysotile asbestos–containing products such as gaskets, packing, and brakes. Another area of interest involved with asbestos analysis is the differentiation of asbestos fibers from nonasbestos fibers. The general characteristics of populations of fibers that have not been found to be definitive for individual fiber analysis as described by the US Environmental Protection Agency are found in the document Method for the Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Building Materials ( USEPA, 1993 ). Recent interlaboratory testing ( Harper et al., 2012) has shown that the width of the fiber is the best discriminator for asbestos fibers and that using a criterion of width that is less than or equal to 1 μm provides the least number of false negatives. Comparison of the aspect ratio plots in the Campbell Bureau of Mines Circular ( Campbell et al., 1977) shows that a criterion of a 5:1 aspect ratio is the best aspect ratio discriminator for asbestos versus nonasbestos fibers. The criteria of 5:1 aspect ratio and less than or equal to 1 μm in width is currently the best index for determining asbestos fibers on an individual basis.
How old are vermiculite deposits?
From a geological perspective, almost all of the commercial vermiculite mines operating today work in deposits which were formed in pre-Cambrian and Archean deposits (1.5-3.0 billion years old). These are quite different from the former Libby, Montana deposit which was Triassic in age (225 million years old).
What is Schundler's email address?
For lab packing grades of vermiculite, industrial grades of perlite or vermiculite, and any other uses, feel free to contact us (email: [email protected]) or a manufacturer close to you.
Where is vermiculite found?
It is found in various parts of the world, but currently the major mines are located in South Africa, China, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and the United States. The largest operating mines today are located in the Palabora region of North-Eastern Transvaal in South Africa, in the northwestern corners of China, and along the eastern Appalachian range in the United States (Virginia and South Carolina). The vermiculite ores from these mines are different forms of hydrated phlogopite or biotite mica which has the remarkable ability of being able to expand to many times its original volume when heated---a property known as exfoliation.
Who makes Perlite and Vermiculite?
The Schundler Company ---Perlite and Vermiculite Products since 1951 , or
Is vermiculite used in pool?
Nevertheless, vermiculite continues to be used by professional pool contractors, by large greenhouse growers, by industrial fireproofing manufacturers and applicators, by installers of insulation, by industrial manufacturers and commercial businesses.
Where are the largest mines in the world?
The largest operating mines today are located in the Palabora region of North-Eastern Transvaal in South Africa, in the northwestern corners of China, and along the eastern Appalachian range in the United States (Virginia and South Carolina).
Can you use perlite in landscaping?
Sometimes products like our Soilac (for use in outdoor gardens and for landscaping) simply are not available from horticultural distributors. For these grades of perlite, you might want to contact local masonry supply stores and ask for perlite (NOT vermiculite) masonry wall, loose fill insulation. It's usually dusty, gritty, and just what you want for your garden (the fine particles keep the clay loam soils from compacting, and hold significant amounts of water.)
Why is vermiculite bad?
Nearly all vermiculite contains asbestos, which can cause lung cancer when inhaled. While it’s true that undisturbed, encapsulated asbestos doesn’t pose a health risk, the asbestos in vermiculite insulation isn’t encapsulated and can easily become airborne during cleaning, maintenance or remodeling. And, the type of asbestos found in vermiculite—called amphibole—is even more hazardous than the chrysotile asbestos that was more commonly used in the U.S.
Where does vermiculite come from?
Up to 85 percent of all vermiculite insulation in the U.S. came from a mine in Libby, Montana, sold under the name Zonolite.
What is an ACM?
The EPA defines an asbestos-containing material (ACM) as having greater than 1 percent asbestos. If it’s found to contain less than 1 percent asbestos, it’s not considered an ACM. That’s misleading, as it seems to imply that the product is safe.
Can you leave vermiculite alone?
Federal guidelines are weak. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends that if you have vermiculite, it’s best to assume it contains asbestos and leave it alone. You can have it tested for asbestos, but here’s the rub. The EPA defines an asbestos-containing material (ACM) as having greater than 1 percent asbestos.
Who is Reuben Saltzman?
Reuben Saltzman has been a home inspector since 1997 and is the president of Structure Tech, a home inspection company in St. Louis Park, MN.
What is the white material in soilless potting mixes that looks like little chunks of styrof?
Perlite is that white material in soilless potting mixes that looks like little chunks of styrofoam. In its natural state, it has a pearl-like shine to it that accounts for the name, "perlite." While vermiculite and perlite are two completely different substances, they do have some things in common; both are:
Why use vermiculite in soilless potting mix?
The product is: Lightweight. Highly absorbent. Its particles absorb water and nutrients (which must still be supplied) and retain them in a soilless potting mix.
What is the difference between perlite and vermiculite?
How Vermiculite Differs From Perlite. Perlite is that white material in soilless potting mixes that looks like little chunks of styrofoam . In its natural state, it has a pearl-like shine to it that accounts for the name, "perlite.".
Why is vermiculite sterile?
Plus, the fact that it is sterile means that gardeners do not have to worry that the vermiculite is harboring pathogens that could kill their plants. Vermiculite is silvery-gray and flaky. In fact, it is so light that you can move the little particles by blowing on them.
What is vermiculite used for?
Vermiculite boasts several characteristics that make it useful to gardeners. The product is: 1 Lightweight 2 Highly absorbent. Its particles absorb water and nutrients (which must still be supplied) and retain them in a soilless potting mix. Whenever the plants' roots are ready to use the water and nutrients, they are able to, thanks to the vermiculite. 3 Neutral in terms of soil pH, so that you do not have to worry about compensating for pH alterations due to the presence of the soil amendment.
Why add perlite to a plant mix?
Because it does such a good job at aeration, perlite is the go-to product in mixes for plants that do not mind drying out and crave outstanding drainage. So add more perlite than vermiculite (or exclusively perlite) to your mix when you are creating a growing medium for plants such as cacti. Read More.
When to use vermiculite vs perlite?
When to Use Vermiculite vs. Perlite. Because it retains water so well, add more vermiculite than perlite to your mix when you are creating a growing medium for plants that dry out easily. But vermiculite is useful to gardeners beyond functioning as one component in a mixed growing medium.
What color is vermiculite insulation?
Vermiculite insulation is a pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually gray-brown or silver-gold in color.
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.
Can you leave vermiculite in the attic?
Leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed in your attic or in your walls. Do not store boxes or other items in your attic if it contains vermiculite insulation. Do not allow children to play in an attic with vermiculite insulation. Do not attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire a professional asbestos contractor if you plan to remodel ...
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 purpose of a spectroscope?
The spectroscope uses near-infrared technology to detect the source of vermiculite and determine if asbestos is present. By tracing dangerous vermiculite back to its source, victims of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma also have a new avenue to pursue legal action against negligent insulation companies.
How to get rid of zonolite in a home?
Asbestos abatement professionals have the tools necessary to rid a home of Zonolite for good. If you spot Zonolite in a home, encourage the homeowner to schedule an appointment with an asbestos abatement company. In the meantime, minimize any exposure to the stuff when inspecting a property.
What is the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust?
The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust helps homeowners who have asbestos insulation get rid of it safely. They also help with re-insulation. The Trust will reimburse homeowners 55 percent of the cost of removal and new insulation.
What tool do home inspectors use to find vermiculite?
Their hand-held spectrometer can save serious time for inspectors while providing peace of mind for homeowners.
Is asbestos in floor tiles sealed?
But there’s a problem with that line of reasoning, too. The asbestos that’s found in some ceiling and floor tiles, which are inside living spaces, are usually sealed. Zonolite is different. The crumbled texture of this attic insulation leaves asbestos exposed to anything that might disturb it.
Is zonolite dangerous?
Even when Zonolite contained less than one percent, the court said it was still dangerous. One reason why is because the type of asbestos in Zonolite was often “amphibole,” says StructureTech. That’s a more dangerous type than the chrysotile asbestos that was used in many other home products.
Is zonolite safe for homes?
For years, Zonolite was used in the insulation of homes throughout the United States. While some believe the substance to be safe, a 2008 class-action lawsuit against W.R. Grace, owner of the Montana mine that produced Zonolite, came to a different conclusion. The court found that one percent wasn’t a strict enough standard.
