Vermiculite - vermiculite asbestos, vermiculite coated treated fiberglass insulation

Vermiculite is a group of minerals with a flaky, mica-like structure. It is mined for its uses in insulation and gardening.

While vermiculite's toxicity has not been studied completely, to date no research has linked serious health effects with exposure to this mineral.

When heated, vermiculite exfoliates (pops), forming a lightweight material ideal for packing, insulation, and as a soil additive. If the vermiculite is contaminated with asbestos, the exfoliation process releases asbestos fibers into the air.

Most vermiculite is not contaminated with asbestos. However, the vermiculite ore taken from a mining operation in Libby , Montana , is contaminated with asbestiform (asbestos-like) amphibole minerals, including the regulated forms tremolite and actinolite . It also contains forms that are not currently regulated, including winchite , richterite , and ferro-edenite . Research has linked all of the these forms to asbestos-related diseases .

Vermiculite was mined from Zonolite Mountain in Libby for more than 65 years (until 1990). The mine itself is approximately six miles from the town. A transfer facility was located approximately three miles from Libby. From the transfer facility, vermiculite was loaded on trains or trucks. Two expansion (popping) facilities operated at different times within the town; these plants heated vermiculite to approximately 600 degrees Fahrenheit to expand the crystals. One of these facilities was next to a baseball field, which was readily accessible to the community's children.

The exfoliation process released asbestos fibers from the vermiculite ore into the air, where they could be inhaled. Inhalation of asbestos fibers suspended in air can result in lung diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. The risk of developing any of these diseases depends on many factors, including the type of fiber, the level and duration of exposure, and the smoking history of the exposed individual. (See Health Effects of Exposure for more information.)

While current airborne asbestos levels in Libby now appear to be low, levels were certainly much higher during the many decades that vermiculite was actively mined, processed, and shipped. In fact, air concentrations up to 15 times current occupational limits were once reported for downtown Libby in the past.

Cases of asbestos-related lung diseases have also been reported among people who lived with mine employees as well as others in the community.

What Can Consumers Do - Minimizing Your Risk ?

The best way to minimize your risk of asbestos exposure is to avoid disturbing vermiculite-based insulation in any way . If vermiculite-based insulation is contained and not exposed to the home or interior environment, it poses very little risk. To further reduce the low risk associated with the occasional use of vermiculite
products during gardening activities, We recommends that consumers can do the
following:

• Use vermiculite outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Use other soil additives such as peat, sawdust, perlite, or bark.
• Seal all cracks and holes in the ceilings of the rooms below the insulation (for example, apply caulking around light fixtures and the attic hatch) to prevent insulation sifting through.
• Keep vermiculite damp while using it to reduce the amount of dust
  created.
• If you must go into the attic, walk on boards in order to minimize disturbance of the insulation and use an appropriate respirator mask. Do not remain in the attic any longer than is necessary.
• Use premixed potting soil, which usually contains more moisture
  and less vermiculite than a pure vermiculite product, and is less likely
  to generate dust.
• Avoid bringing dust from vermiculite use into the home on clothing.
• Do not allow children to play in an attic with open areas of vermiculite-based insulation and make sure anyone working in the attic knows about the possible presence of asbestos.
• If you suspect you have vermiculite-based insulation in your walls, as a precautionary step, seal all cracks and holes. For example, apply caulking around window and door frames, along baseboards and around electrical outlets.
• If you have vermiculite-based insulation and you decide to have it removed, speak to trained and qualified asbestos removal professionals to handle the insulation removal.

Vermiculite

Asbestos and Vermiculite

Vermiculite Insulation

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