VERMICULITE INFORMATION

 

The following information was copied from the EPA Web Site

What is vermiculite insulation?

It is a naturally occurring mineral that has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like accordion shaped pieces when heated. The expanded material is a light-weight, fire-resistant, absorbent, and odorless material. These properties allow vermiculite to be used to make numerous products, including attic insulation.

 Do I have vermiculite insulation?

It can be purchased in various forms for various uses. Sizes of products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long. Vermiculite attic insulation is a pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually light-brown or gold in color. The pictures below show several samples of vermiculite attic insulation.

 Photo - Different Grades-
 

Examples of Different Vermiculite Grades

Photo - Close Up of Insulation in an Attic -
 
Closeup of Vermiculite Insulation in an Attic

Photo - Attic Containing the Insulation -
 
An Attic Containing Vermiculite Insulation

 Is vermiculite insulation a problem?

Prior to its close in 1990, much of the world's supply of it came from a mine near Libby, Montana. This mine had a natural deposit of asbestos which resulted in the vermiculite being contaminated with asbestos. Attic insulation produced using the ore, particularly ore that originated from the Libby mine, may contain asbestos fibers. Today, it is mined at three U.S. facilities and in other countries which have low levels of contamination in the finished material.

How does asbestos cause health problems?

Asbestos can cause health problems when inhaled into the lungs. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, thin, lightweight asbestos fibers are released into the air. Persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure increases the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may result in lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases your risk of developing illness from asbestos exposure.

What should I do if I have vermiculite attic insulation?

DO NOT DISTURB IT. Any disturbance has the potential to release asbestos fibers into the air. Limiting the number of trips you make to your attic and shortening the length of those trips can help limit your potential exposure. EPA and ATSDR strongly recommend that:
 

  • Leave the insulation undisturbed in your attic. Due to the uncertainties with existing testing techniques, it is best to assume that the material may contain asbestos.
     
  • You should not store boxes or other items in your attic if retrieving the material will disturb the insulation.
  • Children should not be allowed to play in an attic with open areas of vermiculite insulation.
  • 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 if I occasionally have to go into my attic?

EPA and ATSDR strongly recommend that homeowners make every effort not to disturb the insulation in their attics. If you occasionally have to go into your attic, current best practices state you should:

1. Make every effort to stay on the floored part of your attic and to not disturb the insulation.
2. If you must perform activities that may disturb the attic insulation such as moving boxes (or other materials), do so as gently as possible to minimize the disturbance.
3. Leave the attic immediately after the disturbance.
4. If you need work done in your attic such as the installation of cable or utility lines, hire trained and certified professionals who can safely do the work.
5. It is possible that the attic insulation can sift through cracks in the ceiling, around light fixtures, or around ceiling fans. You can prevent this by sealing the cracks and holes that insulation could pass through.
6. Common dust masks are not effective against asbestos fibers. For information on the requirements for wearing a respirator mask, visit the following OSHA website.

 

Click Below for links to additional information

EPA Information