Vermiculite Asbestos Attic Insulation

If your home was built before 1990 you might have vermiculite insulation in your walls or attic.

Vermiculite asbestos attic insulation.

What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits. Vermiculite itself has not been shown to be a health problem. 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. Vermiculite insulation has a pebble like appearance and typically is a grayish brown or silvery gold color.

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. One common brand was called zonolite. Vermiculite attic insulation is a pebble like pour in product and is usually light brown gray or gold in color. Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne.

The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. It is made from a natural mineral material that is mined from the earth. Came from a mine in libby montana sold under the name zonolite. Vermiculite loose fill insulation is one of the most common household materials that contains asbestos.

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. That s good news because most zonolite a type of vermiculite insulation falls into that category. Vermiculite insulation removal costs. However the vermiculite used in about 70 percent of the zonolite product came from the montana mine mentioned a moment ago.

Not all vermiculite contains asbestos. It may have shiny flakes and or small accordion like pieces see photos above. When heated to a high temperature flakes of vermiculite expand as much as 8 30 times their original size. It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990.

Installing new insulation costs an average of 1 400. Up to 85 percent of all vermiculite insulation in the u s. The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos. You can also check for markings on the material or its packaging.

Vermiculite in and of itself is not dangerous. The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics. Vermiculite attic insulation removal costs anywhere from 4 to 10 per square foot. 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.

Vermiculite is utilized for attic insulation as well as other purposes.