Vermiculite Asbestos Attic Insulation

It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990.

Vermiculite asbestos attic insulation.

Vermiculite in and of itself is not dangerous. Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne. Vermiculite is utilized for attic insulation as well as other purposes. That s good news because most zonolite a type of vermiculite insulation falls into that category.

Consider this statement from research titled zonolite attic insulation exposure studies where even the suggested method for removal by the manufacturer grace created a very unsafe condition. 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. The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. However some vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibres which can cause problems if inhaled.

However the vermiculite used in about 70 percent of the zonolite product came from the montana mine mentioned a moment ago. What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits. It may have shiny flakes and or small accordion like pieces see photos above. You can also check for markings on the material or its packaging.

One common brand was called zonolite. The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos. The epa says that vermiculite insulation which is the pebbly stuff found in attics of many older homes is only risky if it contains more than one percent asbestos. This insulation was sold in canada under the name of zonolite and was extracted from the libby mine in montana usa.

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. Of concern is zonolite attic insulation.