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What is Vermiculite. 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.
Is vermiculite insulation dangerous?
If vermiculite is disturbed, it could cause tiny, needle-like asbestos fibers to become airborne. Asbestos in the air can be inhaled and cause lung damage. If asbestos is not in the air, it is not dangerous to your lungs.
How can you tell if vermiculite has asbestos?
The only way to identify asbestos is through microscopic examination of the material. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring “mica-like” mineral that was mined and processed into attic insulation starting in the 1920’s and ending in the early 1990’s.
How toxic is vermiculite?
Vermiculite itself is safe to use; there is no evidence that any acute or chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity exists from long-term exposure to vermiculite.
What percentage of vermiculite insulation contains asbestos?
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is perfectly safe when pure. Unfortunately, an estimated 75 percent of it came from Libby, Montana, where it usually was contaminated with toxic amphibole asbestos.
Should vermiculite insulation be removed?
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.
Does vermiculite ceilings contain asbestos?
Not all vermiculite contains asbestos. Only scientific testing will determine if the vermiculite contains asbestos. Vermiculite is a silver-gold to gray-brown mineral that isflat and shiny in its natural state.
Can I remove vermiculite insulation yourself?
Do not attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire a professional asbestos contractor if you plan to remodel or conduct renovations that would disturb the vermiculite in your attic or walls to make sure the material is safely handled and/or removed.
Can you put fiberglass insulation over vermiculite?
Chip D’Angelo, president of WCD Consultants, an asbestos remediation company in Pennington, N.J., said fiberglass insulation batts can be installed directly over the existing vermiculite if its surface is sprayed with a mist of water to avoid creating dust, and if a protective breathing mask is worn.
Can you cover vermiculite insulation?
It is generally recommended that the vermiculite insulation be appropriately covered and left in place undisturbed. Removal is generally unnecessary unless required for renovation or demolition.
Is vermiculite good insulation?
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral worldwide. In addition to being light, vermiculite chunks are also absorbent and fire retardant. These characteristics make it great as an additive, for example to potting soil. It also makes a good insulating material.
Was vermiculite insulation used in walls?
What is vermiculite? Vermiculite is a mineral that was used for insulation. If your home was built before 1990, you might have vermiculite insulation in your walls or attic. Up to 85 percent of all vermiculite insulation in the U.S. came from a mine in Libby, Montana, sold under the name Zonolite.
Is vermiculite cancerous?
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans. In addition, mineral substances (e.g. talc or vermiculite) that contain asbestos should also be regarded as carcinogenic to humans.
How much exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma?
Out of all people with heavy, prolonged exposure to asbestos, 2% to 10% develop pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show until 20-50 years after asbestos exposure, which is when tumors have grown and spread.
What are the first signs of asbestos poisoning?
Signs of Asbestos Exposure Affecting the Lungs Shortness of breath. Dry cough or wheezing. Crackling sound when breathing. Chest pain or tightness. Respiratory complications. Pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the space surrounding a lung) Pleural plaques. Pleural thickening.
Does vermiculite in Canada contain asbestos?
However Health Canada has found some brands of vermiculite insulation may contain tremolite asbestos and could present a health hazard. These products can cause health risks if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition.
How do you dispose of vermiculite insulation?
Disposing of Vermiculite Once it’s all been removed, you’ll need to transport it to a sanctioned landfill. Many landfills require you to transport it inside a covered trailer with heavy plastic bags properly labeled and sealed.
Does all vermiculite insulation contain asbestos?
Not all vermiculite products contain asbestos, but some do. An EPA study showed some vermiculite products contain low levels of asbestos. Asbestos is found primarily in the unmixed vermiculite product although some was found in pre-mixed potting soils.
How likely is asbestos in popcorn ceilings?
Popcorn ceilings generally contain between 1 and 10 percent asbestos. While 1 percent may seem insignificant, it’s important to note that any percentage of asbestos in a popcorn ceiling is cause for concern and should be addressed.
How do you remove vermiculite from a ceiling?
To easily remove the texture you’ll need to soften the area by spraying warm water to break down the adhesive bonds in the finish. We’d recommend using a spray bottle and tackling the surface one area at a time.
Can you put new insulation over vermiculite?
This is bad advice because it is not possible to properly air seal and/or insulate an attic without disturbing the vermiculite. In fact, blowing cellulose or fiberglass over the top of existing vermiculite insulation simply disturbs the vermiculite and causes the smallest fibers (asbestos) to become airborne.
Does cellulose insulation contain asbestos?
A closer inspection indicates this gray puffy material has no minerals, but appears like gray shredded paper. This means cellulose insulation does not contain asbestos and is a safe insulation, blown into the cavities.
Is vermiculite blown in?
Blown-In Insulation Asbestos fibers can often be found in blown-in vermiculite insulation. This vermiculite often originated from the mine in Libby, Montana. Vermiculite insulation hidden behind fiberglass batts. These are places where asbestos may hide.
What happens when vermiculite insulation gets wet?
Vermiculite insluation itself does not burn: it is non-combustible, though contaminants and debris, if mixed with any insulating material at enough volume, might burn. When wet, vermiculite can hold a lot of water, as much as 220-325% by weight, and as much as 20-50% by volume.
Is vermiculite insulation hard or soft?
Vermiculite is a “loose fill” insulation that looks like a mixture of small grade gravel nuggets, but is soft when squeezed, just like popcorn. The pieces can be a mix of gray, light brown, dark-brown, silver, or gold.
