Vermiculite Insulation, a mineral compound found in nature, expands upon heating. It is a member of the group of minerals called phyllosilicates and has a similar appearance to mica. In its purest form, Vermiculite Insulation is sterile, nontoxic, and free of odor. Recent discoveries of vermiculite ore that were contaminated with asbestos …

Vermiculite is a lesser-known product that was typically used as attic insulation in homes built between the 1940s-1980s. It is a naturally occurring compound, with light-weight and fire-resistant characteristics. Although it can be considered a dangerous material to have in your home, not all of it is problematic.

We stock vermiculite loose fill insulation from leading manufacturer Micafil that offers construction-grade, fireproof, free-running and loose fill insulation that can be used in walls, ceilings, and floors to help comply with Building Regulations.. Manufactured from a combination of silicon, magnesium and aluminium and available in handy 100 litre bags, …

Guide. Chapter. Asbestos exposure from vermiculite insulation can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, which can show up years or even decades after …

Vermiculite is a popular soil additive for houseplants and garden plants that improves soil texture and helps to grow healthy plants. The main benefits of adding vermiculite to soil are better water absorption, retention, and drainage of the soil, thereby regulating the amount of water available to plants. Read on to learn what vermiculite is ...

National News Release. By Communications and Publishing April 5, 2018. U.S. Geological Survey scientists and partners have created an onsite, time-saving technique for building inspectors to ascertain …

Headlines Archive. Vermiculite Insulation and Asbestos. Vermiculite is a mineral used in many commercial and consumer products including insulation. Vermiculite itself has not …

The contaminated vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana that dominated the North American market was sold under the name Zonolite, even after a change in ownership (W.R. Grace & co.) in 1963. Shockingly, evidence indicates that the W.R. Grace Corporation was aware of health issues associated with the mine when they …

Vermiculite is a versatile mineral with a wide range of uses in various industries due to its unique physical and chemical properties. Some of the primary uses of vermiculite include: Insulation: Vermiculite is used as an insulating material in construction, providing thermal insulation in walls, ceilings, and roofs. Its lightweight and …

Vermiculite Insulation. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral compound that expands when heated. A member of the phyllosilicate group of minerals, it resembles mica in appearance. In its pure form, vermiculite is clean, odorless, nontoxic and sterile. Recent findings about vermiculite ore contaminated with tremolite asbestos …

Vermiculite Health Alert_2010. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ALERT. Limiting Worker Exposures to Asbestos-. ! Containing Vermiculite Insulation. Vermiculite (pronounced ver-mik-yuh-lahyt) is a mineral that expands when rapidly heated. Expanded vermiculite is used in construction materials (loose-fill insulation, spray on insulation, concrete mixes ...

Vermiculite insulation is a pebble-like or rectangular, chunky product about the size of a pencil eraser, and usually gray-brown or silver-gold in color. Inspectors should be on guard for empty bags in the attic that bear the name Zonolite®, as this was the commercial name for vermiculite mined in the notorious Libby mine. ...

Vermiculite turns toxic. By Janet Raloff. May 28, 2003 at 4:15 pm. Most people know vermiculite as that -like mineral that gets mixed into potting soil or poured into attic spaces as ...

Asbestos Contamination: Vermiculite insulation sourced from Libby, Montana, between the 1920s and 1990s, is known to have a higher risk of asbestos contamination. Asbestos exposure can lead to severe respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Friability and Fiber Release: Over time, …

Vermiculite Insulation Risk: Asbestos Exposure. The Libby Mine in Montana, active starting in the 1920s, was contaminated with a natural deposit of asbestos. Before the mine closed in 1990, it supplied 80% of the vermiculite sold in the United States under the name Zonolite insulation for decades. Not all vermiculite insulation contains ...

Scientists with the United States Geology Survey (USGS) have created a hand-held spectrometer to determine if vermiculite insulation contains deadly amphibole asbestos. The recent innovation …

Vermiculite Insulation. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral compound that expands when heated. A member of the phyllosilicate group of minerals, it resembles mica in appearance. In its pure form, vermiculite is clean, odorless, nontoxic and sterile. Recent findings about vermiculite ore contaminated with tremolite asbestos have caused ...

The mine a few miles outside town once produced up to 80% of global vermiculite supplies. It closed in 1990. Nine years later, the Environmental Protection …

If you need to or would prefer to have the vermiculite removed, you can get it tested for asbestos. If the insulation was part of the approximate 70% of vermiculite insulation that came from Libby, you will need to have it removed with special procedures and safety measures. There is no other way to know than to send a sample to an …

Does your attic contain vermiculite insulation? Learn more about the ZAI Trust and find out whether you may be eligible for partial reimbursement of your abatement costs, even …

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring material and can be found in trace amounts in the air, water and your garden soil. Vermiculite is not asbestos and is a safe, highly versatile mineral used widely through the world in many products. For more information, contact The Vermiculite Association at 717-238-9902 or via email to tva@vermiculite.

Applications of Vermiculite Insulation in Buildings. Vermiculite has long been recognized for its excellent insulating properties, making it a popular choice for building insulation. Its unique structure, which consists of layers that expand when heated, creates air pockets that effectively trap heat and reduce the transfer of thermal energy.

The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust (ZAI Trust) was created to help educate the public about the possible health effects of asbestos-containing vermiculite and to provide partial reimbursement for ZAI removal to qualified claimants. In order to be eligible for reimbursement a claimant must be able to show: That vermiculite is the Zonolite Brand.

The EPA recommends that vermiculite insulation be left undisturbed. Airborne asbestos fibers present a health risk through inhalation, so the first step is to not disturb the material, which could release fibers into the air. If you disturb the insulation, you may inhale some asbestos fibers. The degree of health risk depends on how much and ...

In situations where moisture control is a primary concern, vermiculite may be a better option than insulation. Vermiculite has the ability to absorb moisture, making it an ideal choice for use in damp environments. For example, in basements, vermiculite can be used to control moisture levels and prevent mold growth. 4.

The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust by W.R. Grace was set up to fund claims arising from residential and commercial buildings containing the Zonolite brand of Vermiculite. Zonolite was manufactured between the 1940s and 1990s and used as insulation in homes and commercial buildings. Complete information regarding the trust, and if you may be ...

Download PDF. Vermiculite Insulation Containing Asbestos. On this page. What is vermiculite? Is all vermiculite a health concern? What are the health risks of …

Approximately one million homes in the United States contain vermiculite attic insulation. One of the major past sources of this vermiculite was commercially produced vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana, containing trace levels of asbestiform amphibole, which is known to cause asbestos-related diseases. Although …

A commercial-grade insulation removal vacuum is needed to remove loose insulation. These vacuums cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000, so it is not reasonable to buy one of your own. Rentals will cost you about $300 a day or $800 a week. You will also need insulation vacuum bags to hold all the vermiculite it sucks up.

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. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, and odorless material and has been used in numerous products, including …