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Vermiculite insulation home page: how to recognize vermiculite building insulation that may contain asbestos fibers. This article permits visual identification of vermiculite insulation; we include our own as well as US EPA photographs of various forms of vermiculite insulation to assist in recognizing vermiculite in buildings. We describe the history of vermiculite insulation, the asbestos hazard that may be present depending on which vermiculite insulation product is present, and how asbestos is identified in vermiculite insulation. We give the history of the Libby vermiculite mine, its purchase by WR Grace Corporation, the asbestos-related bankruptcy filing, asbestos abatement cost claims & filings. We also list other, including current producers of vermiculite insulation. This document assists building buyers, owners or inspectors who need to identify asbestos materials (or probable-asbestos) in buildings by simple visual inspection. We provide photographs and descriptive text of asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing products to permit identification of definite, probable, or possible asbestos materials in buildings. Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman. Vermiculite Building Insulation: properties, uses, asbestos content
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What is vermiculite insulation & where is it used?Vermiculite is a mineral (hydrated laminar mangesium-aluminum-iron silicates or hydrated phlogopite or biotite mica) from the phyllosilicate group. Vermiculite looks somewhat like mica in that it includes shiny flat plates of material that can be separated. Because this mineral expands to many times its original volume when it is heated, processed vermiculite produces a lightweight material with insulating and other useful properties. In addition to its use as an insulation product and in construction as a masonry fill, a cavity fill, & in concrete blocks, vermiculite is added to soils in horticultural applications and to cement to make a lightweight concrete swimming pool base. Vermiculite is also used in special applications such as industrial filters.[17] Watch out: vermiculite from some sources contains asbestos and can be an asbestos dust hazard in buildings. Details about the asbestos content in some vermiculite insulation products is found in this article beginning at: Which Vermiculite Insulation Products Contain Asbestos? |
How to Identify Vermiculite Insulation - Photographs, Description, Properties
Vermiculite Insulation Identification Photographs
 We have observed that depending on the mine from which it originates, and the process used to expand the vermiculite particles, vermiculite may vary in appearance and shininess. Vermiculite insulation is easy to identify by visual inspection, as it is a granular, loose-fill pour-in insulation comprised of particles typically gray or brown or silver-gold in color, often with bits of reflective mica included. What can be confusing is that vermiculite particle sizes range from about 1/8" in diameter to more than 1/2" in diameter depending on the producer and batch, with a few large particles that can be more than one inch in length. The individual vermiculite insulation particles, an expanded mineral, are quite light in weight. Depending on the condition of the vermiculite insulation, whether or not it has been disturbed, and also depending on its original manufacture and quality, various amounts of dust and ultra-small particles may also be present. Vermiculite insulation may be comprised of particles of several colors and shades (see our page top photo), or nearly all of the particles may be consistently the same color, as we show in our closeup photograph of vermiculite (left). This photo shows how we noticed the presence of vermiculite insulation by peering through a crack between attic floorboards. It was not necessary to remove flooring to find this material. Our first two vermiculite attic insulation photos (below) show what you may see in the typical attic of an older home where vermiculite was added to the attic floor. You will often find a mix of several kinds of building insulation, and the vermiculite may, for example, have been covered-over by rolled out fiberglass or fiberglass batt insulation. |
 
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Below we illustrate that in "original" condition, that is without mechanical damage from being walked-on, vermiculite insulation products can vary considerably in size and appearance.
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The two vermiculite photos above and the third at below left illustrate a considerable range in average particle size in different vermiculite insulation products, possibly coming from different mines or from different expansion processes. For reference, the very large vermiculite particle at below left was 1.5 cm x 1 cm in size, and some reports indicate that pour-in attic insulation can contain vermiculite particles up to an inch (2.5 cm) in length. As you can see in our vermiculite insulation images here, the color of the material ranges from a creamy white to gold or tan in color.
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At above right, in the same largest-particle-size vermiculite sample, you can observe the mica-like shiny surface and layering or laminate structure of some of these vermiculite particles.
Watch out: vermiculite insulation was not only poured into attic floors but also into building wall cavities during insulation retrofit projects. Particularly in older balloon-framed buildings, vermiculite could be poured from the attic right into wall cavities extending all the way to the building foundation top. Vermiculite was also often poured into hollow-core concrete block walls.
Unidentified Vermiculite Insulation Photographs
Mississippi home inspector Dan Phillips sent along these interesting photographs of vermiculite insulation from a 1940's home in Tennessee.
 
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Phillips added "The home itself was built in the 40’s and had several renovations done to it. The vermiculite was added during one of these renovations in the past, and covered some older insulation as well as serving as single insulation to newer portions of the home." He observed that this particular vermiculite insulation was comprised of a mix of both small reflective mineral fragments (mica-like) as well as larger fragments up to almost 1/4" of expanded vermiculite insulation material.
Without testing by a certified asbestos testing laboratory, we don't know if this particular vermiculite contains asbestos or not, - appropriate warnings were issued to the client.
That experience reminds us that in an older home there are often multiple kinds of insulation present, and they may not all be visible, newer materials having covered older.
Vermiculite Insulation Identification Images from the US EPA
Web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html#made
Typical vermiculite insulation |
Vermiculite insulation between attic joists | |
Vermiculite insulation particle size |
 Different sizes of vermiculite particles; |
Typical vermiculite insulation |
Vermiculite Loose Fill Attic Insulation May Go Unrecognized as a Potential Hazard
Home inspector David Grudzinski provides the following vermiculite insulation photographs. Mr. Grudzinski comments:
I write this ... because of the irony in the situation. .... I found some traces of vermiculite in the basement at first in what looked like an area that one would use as a potting shed spot, so I was alert, but not alarmed. I explained what I found to the buyer and his father, and explained that I would be on the look out for other signs of vermiculite in the house.
The attic revealed what I was afraid of. Bags and Bags of the stuff [vermiculite loose fill building insulation produced by W.R. Grace & Co.]. Now I calmly explained the history and concerns to the buyer, then we began to look around and take photos.
What struck me as ironic was that when I started to look deeper, the past occupant must have been in a boiler school program of some kind. there were book about boilers laying on the bags. but then after looking farther, there are actually books about asbestos containment and control sitting right on the bags of Zonolite™ insulation. In the ["Guidance for Controlling Asbestos Materials in buildings" U.S. EPA] book found on the attic floor [right next to this vermiculite insulation] was a picture of the standard corrugated asbestos pipe wrapping you see on a furnace - but this was too funny.
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What NOT to do in a home when you have vermiculite in the attic
Mr. Grudzinski continues with an example of vermiculite insulation that had been missed by previous occupants, owners, buyers of a building.
It appears that some contractors still have no clue how to work around attic insulation, and this home has paid the price. The occupants had no clue and when I arrived and saw what was done, many long faces were observed.
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Vermiculite, depending on its source, (from the Grace mine in Libby Montana) contains tremolite asbestos. For anyone who doesn't’t know the history, serious health and life safety hazards affected mine workers and others exposed to high levels of asbestos dust; millions of dollars in corrections were spent to clean up the site. The vermiculite insulation product sold under the name Zonolite contained significant levels of asbestos, and was shipped all over the country for use as building insulation, even refrigeration system insulation, and for use in other applications. Apparently this home owner had no idea of the potential hazard of asbestos dust in his/her home, and allowed this bath fan to blow the vermiculite insulation and its finer dust particles around for years. The attic hatch from which I took the photo, is a pull down stair. Pull-down attic stairs do not provide an air seal between the attic and the occupied space. Further, under some conditions (such as when air conditioning is in use at a building, air (and attic dust) can be drawn downwards from an attic space into the occupied building areas. In my opinion there is a high probability that asbestos may have been released in the living space of this home. . |
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To remove the fabric and debris, one will have to disturb the Vermiculite further. Worse, bringing carpeting (below right) or other items stored in the attic down into the living area means importing vermiculite insulation (reasonably treated as Presumed Asbestos Containing Material or PACM) into the occupied space as well. Justification for treating any vermiculite building insulation in the U.S. as PACM comes from the U.S. EPA who point out (later in this article) that Zonolite comprised about 70% of vermiculite insulation sold in the U.S. |
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Continuing my inspection it was apparent that the air conditioning system air duct (upper center in the photo at above right) passes through the ceiling and down into a closet below (Second of the next two photos). The question arose: how well was that ceiling penetration (above left) sealed against the passage of insulation, air or dust from the attic as it entered the closet (below left)? I found not a shred of evidence that any measures had ever been taken to contain the vermiculite insulation, and it has spilled into the living space as you can see in our next photograph. |
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The A/C return air duct was observed to have vermiculite inside, virtually guaranteeing that airborne insulation (and presumably asbestos) dust and fragments would have been drawn into and sent through the air conditioning duct system whenever the air handler blower was operating. What Should the Building Inspector or Owner Do About Suspected or Known Vermiculite Insulation & Presumed Asbestos Dust Contamination?Extensive asbestos testing and repairs will be needed in this house. We [OPINION - InspectApedia] would recommend a professional assessment of the extent of asbestos dust contamination in the building, including settled dust not just airborne dust, and almost certainly professional cleaning of the HVAC system and possibly other building areas are going to be in order. When a home inspector sees loose vermiculite in a building during an inspection, we recommend not entering such an attic without wearing a HEPA respirator and a TYVEK suit that is bagged and disposed-of (in your home garbage not that at the property) on leaving the attic. If you didn't wear tyvek, dust off outside and wash your clothes. Those steps minimize the risk of importing PACM dust into other areas or buildings. David Grudzinski, Advantage Home Inspections, is a professional home inspector who contributes on various topics including structural matters. Mr. Grudzinski, Cranston RI serving both Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut can be reached at 401-935-6547 fax- 401-490-0607 or by email to Davidgrudzinski@aol.com |
Which Vermiculite Insulation Products Contain Asbestos? Does All Vermiculite Contain Asbestos?
Vermiculite building insulation might contain asbestos
 Our vermiculite insulation photo (left) from the attic of a home in New York state, shows how you might spot the presence of vermiculite insulation even when most of the attic floor has been covered-over. You'll also notice that while most of the vermiculite insulation particles in this photograph are silver-tan or silver gray, some dark fragments are also present, as well as incidental debris. Does All Vermiculite Contain AsbestosNo. Vermiculite mined at the Libby Montana site until 1990 was formed in the Triassic period (225 million years ago) and contained tremolite asbestos. Most of the vermiculite in the currently operating vermiculite mines (listed below) was formed 1.5 to 3 billion years ago in the pre-Cambrian and Archaen periods. See this Vermiculite MSDS from Schundler[17] |
How is Asbestos Identified in Vermiculite Products?
Also see ASBESTOS DUCTS, HVAC a field identification guide to visual detection of asbestos in and on heating and cooling system ducts and flue vents. Also see Micro-Photographs of Dust from the World Trade Center collapse following the 9/11/01 attack. Links to U.S. government and other authoritative research and advice are included. |
His text and microscopy courses taught at McCrone Research and subsequently at McCrone Institute provided methods for identifying fibrous and non-fibrous asbestos in a wide range of materials.[12] Dr. McCrones photograph of fibrous tremolite asbestos is illustrated at above left. Like many minerals and some other particles, asbestos, including tremolite asbestos, can occur in both fibrous (above left) and non-fibrous (below left) forms. |
Quoting from the U.S. EPA advice on vermiculite:
Why should I be concerned about asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation?
A mine near Libby, Montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine, so the vermiculite from Libby was contaminated with asbestos.
Vermiculite from Libby was used in the majority of vermiculite insulation in the U.S. and was often sold under the brand name Zonolite.
If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this material may be contaminated with asbestos and be aware of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from exposure to asbestos.
- original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.htmProtect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation
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 insulation for attics and walls.
Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long. A mine near Libby, Montana, was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine, so the vermiculite from Libby was contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite from Libby was used in the majority of vermiculite insulation in the U.S. and was often sold under the brand name Zonolite.
If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this material may be contaminated with asbestos and be aware of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from exposure to asbestos. This Web page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.
Zonolite Brand Vermiculite Insulation, ZAI (Zonolite Attic Insulation) Dust & Tremolite Asbestos Hazards
 Watch out: Depending on the mine from which this mineral-based insulation was obtained, vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos fibers (including tremolite asbestos) and could present a hazard in buildings, especially if disturbed during renovations. The U.S. EPA has photos of the original bags in which this product was shipped - you're not likely to see these bags in a home, though I've found them on occasion as you'll see in our own photograph of a Zonolite Insulation Fill bag shown at left. Vermiculite insulation has an R-value of about 2.13 per inch in buildings. As we discuss at our notes on other loose-fill insulations such as mineral wool or cellulose, any building insulated with loose-fill or spray-in insulation may benefit from the ability of these loose materials to fill gaps and openings more uniformly than might be found if sloppy workers are careless about installing insulating batts. Drafty insulation installations can cause more heat loss than is made up for by differences in insulation R-values. |
Zonolite Attic Insulation (ZAI) Asbestos Abatement Expense Claims
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware set 31 October 2008 as the bar date for Zonolite Attic Insulation (also branded "ZAI") claims to be filed in the W.R. Grace Personal Bankruptcy Case. The claims that were allowed prior to the bar date above included the cost of the abatement or removal of asbestos containing insulation and may have included a claim for other financial losses such as a reduction in property value where this insulation material was installed.
Zonolite Vermiculite Building Insulation History & the Libby Montana Vermiculite Mine
According to a helpful timeline published by Grace [11], commercial mining of vermiculite began in Libby Montana in 1923, ten years after Vermiculite Mountain was discovered in that town. Twenty one years later, in 1944, a question of possible hazards due to dust levels in the Libby vermiculite production plant was addressed by the Montana Department of Health who found dust levels below 50 ppm/ft3 and concluded that the dust was a nuisance but not hazardous.
By 1950, six years later, vermiculite production under the Zonolite brand reached 150,000 tons per year, and in 1954, as a measure to reduce dust levels in the mill, the first wet mill was installed at the Libby mine.
Asbestos in the Libby Montana Vermiculite Product
 In 1956 the US Department of Health estimated that vermiculite mined from the Libby site had an asbestos content of 10% but added that there was no reliable way of analyzing asbestos content. Walter C. McCrone, at McCrone Research Institute published detailed procedures for identifying asbestos by microscopic examination, and identifying which type of asbestos is in a material. But that work was not published until 1980 in McCrone's "Asbestos Particle Atlas", and again in 1987 in detailed procedures described in his book, Asbestos Identification.[13] See Asbestos Under the Microscope for details. In 1956 the USDOH recommended a 50 mppcf limit of total dust and according to Grace, added "If the company will cooperate and actually attain dust control of this order, the asbestos and silicosis hazard would certainly be minimal." [11] suggesting that the health risks such as mesothelioma from asbestos dust exposure were still poorly understood. Tremolite asbestos, the principal form of asbestos found in vermiculite from the Libby Montana mine, was identified by the Montana State Board of Health in 1961. |
W.R. Grace Purchase of the Libby Montana Zonolite Corporation & Vermiculite Mining Operation
Up until the 1963 purchase of the Libby Montana vermiculite mine and the Zonolite corporation by W.R. Grace corporation, vermiculite insulation product mined at Libby was under the auspices of the Zonolite corporation. Grace indicates that at the time of the purchase, the company was unaware of the lurking asbestos hazards associated with mining and milling vermiculite. [11]
However by the following year it is evident that the new Libby Montana vermiculite mining operation had become aware of the health concerns associated with dust at the mining facility, because in 1964 the company initiated an annual x-ray testing program for Libby workers, and in the following year the company began moving employees reporting breathing concerns to less dusty areas of the facility.
Just one year later, in 1966 the Montana Board of Health reported dust concentrations at the Libby Montana vermiculite facility as varying between 9 ppm per cubic foot of air and 52 mppcf, complimenting Graces's efforts to reduce dust levels but indicating that further measures were needed. And in the following year, 1967, the Libby Montana mineworkers' union filed the first asbestos-related health claim. At that time even the union reported that dust levels had been reduced and that most (96%) of the dust level measurements were within Montana's "safe" threshold of 50 ppm per cubic foot or less.
The Libby vermiculite mining operation between 1967 and 1978 includes additional steps by the company to reduce dust exposure for workers. Most likely because it was apparent that there was a connection between airborne asbestos exposure health risks and smoking (tar in the lungs keeps particles therein), led Grace to ban smoking on premises in 1978, prompting a union grievance. And in 1983 Grace, complying with the Toxic Substances Control Act, filed notice of possible health effects from exposure to tremolite asbestos at the mining facility. The company consulted NIOSH, and McGill University began a health study of this topic in that same year. Findings of the McGill study, indicating that the levels of tremolite asbestos were one twentieth the standard set by federal regulations were reported to employees two years later in 1985.
Closure of the Libby Montana Vermiculite Mine in 1990, Grace Bankruptcy Filings
The LIbby Montana vermiculite mine was closed by W.R. Grace corporation in 1990. In that year the company also closed all of its (more than 20) vermiculite insulation processing plants located throughout the U.S.
On 2 April 2001 the corporation filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 reorganization procedures in response to an 81% increase in asbestos claims in the preceding year and an increasing claims rate in 2001. According to the company, these asbestos liabilities stemmed from commercially-purchased chrysotile asbestos that Grace added to some of its fire protection products [not the tremolite asbestos found in Zonolite vermiculite building insulation-Ed]. The initial bankruptcy filing was amended on 13 January 2005, and disagreements between the company's creditors and stockholders and asbestosis property damage claimants continued along with further amendments to a final resolution on 31 January 2011.and all objections were closed on 31 January 2012.[15] The corporation describes the final resolution as follows:
The Joint Plan establishes two asbestos trusts to compensate personal injury claimants and property owners. Funds for the trusts will come from a variety of sources including cash, warrants to purchase Grace common stock, deferred payment obligations, insurance proceeds and payments from successor companies. The trusts’ assets and operations are designed to cover all current and future asbestos claims. [15]
W.R. Grace Position Statement on Zonolite Insulation "ZAI"
Zonolite® Attic Insulation was primarily used in older homes to retrofit or add to existing insulation. It was seldom used in new home construction. We believe now, as we did during the time we sold the product, that there is no unreasonable risk of injury or illness associated with the presence of this insulation in homes. Homeowners who have Zonolite® Attic Insulation in their homes should leave it in place. Homeowners who have questions about the product can contact Grace at 617-876-1400 (in Massachusetts) or 800-354-5414 (elsewhere in the U.S.). For more information, please visit the web site [website name deleted as it was found not functional on 5/1/12-Ed]. [10]
Current Vermiculite Mines & Companies Providing Vermiculite Insulation
Vermiculite mining operations are found world-wide but the largest currently operating vermiculite mining operations continue in
- Brazil,
- Northwestern China
- Northeastern Transvaal, South Africa
- Eastern Applachian mountain range in Virginia & South Carolina in the United States
- Zimbabwe
Some Current Producers and/or Vendors of Vermiculite Products
- Schundler Company, (purchased by Normiska USA in turn purchased by Normiska Canada in 2005). Schundler also produces Coralux Perlite.) [17]
- Queensland Vermiculte, 29 Antimony St., Carole Park 4300, Queensland Australia, Tel: 07-3271-5333, sold in 100L bags.
Contemporary Uses of Vermiculite Insulation
- Commercial or industrial filters
- Concrete additive
- Fill in hollow-core concrete masonry units or blocks
- Floor insulation or under-floor sound-insulation
- Swimming pool construction, mixed with portland cement (V+16 Pool Base)
- Gardening & horticulture (Perlite Insulation [16] or vermiculite) as a soil additive. (Perlite as an under-floor insulation and as an acoustical insulator is described by the Schundler Company[17]. Perlite as well as vermiculite from some sources do not contain asbestos.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about vermiculite insulation and vermiculate insulation that may contain asbestos
What should I do if I have vermiculite insulation in my building ?
Quoting & paraphrasing or elaborating further from the U.S. EPA information on Vermiculite [5]:
You should assume that the vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and it should not be disturbed. Particularly, do not stir up nor spread dust from this product.! Any disturbance could potentially release asbestos fibers into the air. If you absolutely have to go in your attic and it contains vermiculite insulation, you should limit the number of trips you make and shorten the length of those trips in order to help limit your potential exposure.
We and the US EPA recommend that you:
- Leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed in your attic or in your walls.
- Do not store boxes or other items in your attic if it contains vermiculite insulation.
- Do not allow children to play in an attic with vermiculite insulation.
- Do not attempt to remove the vermiculite 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.
- [If substantial costs are involved in handling or removing any building product suspected of containing asbestos, particularly friable asbestos that can easily be spread through a building as airborne dust, you should have the material tested to confirm its asbestos content and in order to understand what special handling may be required. ] - Ed.
For more details about the inspection and detection of concerns with fiberglass building insulation, see:
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT and FIBERGLASS HAZARDS .
Our separate websites on Fiberglass building insulation and or series of articles about HVAC duct work defects contain in-depth discussion about possible air quality and health concerns which may be associated with exposure to fiberglass dust.To compare insulating material R-values of fiberglass in various forms as well as other insulating materials, see our Table of Properties of Insulating Materials
Also see these U.S. & Canadian Guides to Asbestos-Hazards in Vermiculite Insulation
- Vermiculite: Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation, U.S. EPA
- Proteja su familia del aislante de vermiculita contaminado con asbestos, U.S. EPA
- Current Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation - May 2003, U.S. EPA
- Vermiculite Insulation Containing Amphibole Asbestos - September 2009, Health Canada
How Vermiculite Attic Insulation Becomes Airborne
Any airborne dust particles can be a respiratory irritant, but the hazard level is likely to be increased if the dust contains insect or rodent materials and of course also if it contains asbestos as is present in some vermiculite insulation installations. Particularly where loose fill vermiculite insulation remains exposed in an attic, such as in the attic floor, the following act ivies are likely to cause dust from this product to become airborne.
- Operating a whole house fan or an attic vent fan
- Walking on or near the vermiculite insulation
- Disturbing the vermiculite insulation during building remodeling, renovations, or roofing work
- Storing items on the vermiculite insulation - which risks transporting dust out of the attic into the living space if those items are then brought into the occupied space below
You can reduce these dust risks by installing a plywood floor over the tops of the floor joists (ceiling joists of the rooms below), by installing fiberglass batts on top of the vermiculite, or by spraying an acrylic encapsulant on the exposed surface of the vermiculite in the attic.
Watch out: spray-coating the upper surface of an attic insulation material installed in the floor risks creating a vapor barrier on the wrong side (the cold side) of the structure, trapping moisture and leading to condensation or even mold troubles.
Question: is .0004% of asbestos ok to be working in and preparing food in?
I work in a school in mt, and 2 years ago this substance was removed from two rooms in the school, one which is right by the kitchen i work in. well 2 days ago i found this substance on top the the cupboards and everywhere else, and can see that it is falling from the ceiling. Very concerned because i have a fan blowing in there, and there was asbestos in the school when they came and had it cleaned. my question to you is, is .0004% of asbestos ok to be working in and preparing food in?
i truly found this site excellent, it answered alot except that one question. thank you - Amy Swanson 9/2/11
Reply:
Thanks for tine nice note Amy.
A proper asbestos cleanup project, especially in a school, should have included post-cleanup inspecting and testing to assure that no asbestos hazard remained. You might want to ask for and read that report.
About the substance falling from your ceiling, if you think it's asbestos-containing material you certainly shouldn't be running a fan, and it would make sense to have it tested for asbestos content.
The % of asbestos number you cite leaves me confused. If you mean that the general dust from the environment is down to that minimal level, it sounds almost below the limits of detection. But I don't know what test you are describing, nor where nor how it was performed -those questions are key in understanding what the test results mean.
Your concern should be answered more specifically by a hygienist or similar professional who has specific expertise in asbestos and indoor air quality and who knows the building and its history.
We would much appreciate hearing any comments, critique, suggestions, or further questions from you or other readers. We are dedicated to making our information as accurate, complete, useful, and unbiased as possible: we very much welcome critique, questions, or content suggestions for our web articles. Working together and exchanging information makes us better informed than any individual can be working alone.
Reader follow-up:
Well this is my first year at this school, and was told that 2 years ago there was asbestos in the library and the music room and they did have it cleaned up professionally, but they didn't do it to the kitchen.
now this stuff that looks like your picture above with the gold and silver flakes in is is all over my kitchen and my boss told me it wasn't harmful cause they had it tested and it was at .0004%, but my concern is that if they had to clean it out of the other 2 rooms that it should be also done to my kitchen and i have 2 other ladies that work with me and we are all really concerned and are wondering what it is or whom it is that we can contact because everyone is telling us its ok and i don't think it is ok.
my boss is having someone come out there to caulk the ceiling again, and that is it...more or less just sweeping this under the rug. ..i have some of this stuff that fell from the ceiling in a plastic folder. it was hanging on the wall and caught it, but my concern is that i didn't know it was in there at the time i pulled a few papers out of it.
that is how it was brought to my attention of what it was. i am seriously concerned and would just like to know whom it is i need to contact outside the school, since no one in the school seems to really care about it or us.
Question: Zonolite Rolled Glass Fiber Home Insulation
i got zonolite rolled glass fiber home insulation is it safe ? - Concerned
Reply:
Concerned: I don't recognize the product you name - can you send me a photo of the material and of any labels or markings on packaging? Then I can research and comment further. Use the CONTACT US link at page top or bottom to send photos if you can.
Certainly "fiberglass" is not an asbestos material. In our opinion, fiberglass insulation is safe if it has been properly installed and has not been damaged. Severely damaged fiberglass insulation, such as a product that has been walked-upon numerous times, or that has been macerated during demolition, may produce high levels of glass fiber dust, including small particles that may are a respiratory irritant and may be more harmful.
Should I have my Attic Insulation Tested?
I found plastic bags in my attic space that say "Full Fill" Insulation 100% abestos free from Koos Inc. Kenosha, WI. Should I have the insulation tested? - Colleen 3/4/12
Reply: U.S. EPA Koos WI Site Visit Report on Vermiculite & Asbestos Exposure
Colleen, some mesothelioma and asbestosis websites, usually ones seeking to provide legal services, report that workers at Koos corporation in Wisconsin were exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. The U.S. EPA visited the Koos site in Kenosha, WI on 9 March 2000. Here are two reports from the U.S. Government Accounting Office.
Unknown facility:
An EPA database compiled from W.R. Grace shipping invoices did not contain any records indicating Libby ore was shipped to this site. Because this site was associated with the Koos Inc. site in Kenosha, Wisconsin, EPA visited this site. (The Kenosha site is listed separately in this database) At the time of EPA's visit, IMC Salt, Inc. operated at this site. The company warehoused and distributed packaged salt. According to company officials, IMC started operations at the site in 1995. Company officials were not aware of vermiculite ore being handled at this facility. EPA did not find any records indicating that Koos had operated at this site before 1995. On the basis of this information, EPA determined no further action was needed.[19]
Former Koos Inc. exfoliation facility, asbestos, & vermiculite
According to an EPA database compiled from W.R. Grace shipping invoices, 1,995 tons of vermiculite ore from the Libby mine were shipped to this site between April 1969 and March 1982.
In addition, reports published by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1975, 1980, 1985, and 1990 indicated that this facility had been a vermiculite exfoliation plant. The site was about 10 acres and was bounded to the north by a street, to the east by railroad tracks, and to the west and south by businesses and residences. At the time of EPA's site visit, IMC Salt, Inc. was operating at the site. The site consisted of an office building, a warehouse and production area, a bulk storage building, and a maintenance shop.According to IMC officials, IMC Vigaro purchased Koos, Inc. in 1995 and all exfoliation equipment was sold at that time. In 1998, IMC Salt, Inc. began salt packaging and warehousing operations at the site. From 1960 until 1995, Koos had exfoliated vermiculite at the facility and sold vermiculite wholesale. Exfoliated vermiculite was sold for use in fertilizer and in fire proof doors. Some of the exfoliated vermiculite waste had been placed in a local landfill.
An IMC official said Koos purchased vermiculite ore from American Vermiculite (a South African mine) and from W.R. Grace, but, to their knowledge, none of the ore came from the Libby mine. The ore was shipped to the facility by truck and rail and the exfoliation process was performed indoors. EPA did not see any evidence of vermiculite on the site. On April 3, 2001, EPA collected five soil samples at the site and analyzed them using polarized light microscopy (PLM). None of the samples contained detectable levels of asbestos. On the basis of this information, EPA decided no further action was needed.[20]
Therefore, while the "safe answer" is to spend your money testing your insulation, and given only the information in your brief question, we caution that as we report in detail in the article above, even if your insulation is a vermiculite product (you did not say that it was), a bulk test can give a false negative result. Therefore the EPA and other experts advise that consumers assume that their vermiculite contains asbestos and follow EPA's advice to leave the material alone, undisturbed.
Question: What are the chances that vermiculite in our home came from the Libby Mine?
I have a house in Massachusetts that was constructed circa 1770. Local lore has it that there was an attic fire circa 1890. The wood work and plaster indicate that the attic was "finished" circa 1900. Some floor boards are missing, the floorboards are 1" hard pine, T&G. They also indicate late 19th, early 20th century. The floorboards were removed in the 1950's for electrical wiring (I am certain vermiculite was not added at that time). I can see about 1 1/2 inches of vermiculite between the joists.
I have spoken with a local resident who grew up in the house in the 1940's, when it did not have electricity. He tells me that heat was by way of a hot air furnace in the cellar which released heat through a large grate in the first floor. This also indicates late 19th century. I would assume that was when any attic insulation was added.
So,my question is. given the era what is the likelihood that the vermiculite came from the Libby mine which contained the asbestos? - Ralph Donaldson 5/5/12
Reply:
Ralph,
Considering the very wide-spread use of Zonolite as a retrofit building insulation product, it is certainly possible that it was used in your home. Zonolite, which was found to contain tremolite asbestos, was produced in very large quantities, reaching 150,000 tons per year by 1950, and the plant continued to operate until 1990. There are other vermiculite mines that do not contain asbestos in their product and that continue to operate today.
It would be a mistake to presume that the Libby Montana Zonolite vermiculite mine source was the only source of asbestos containing products, including insulation, found in homes, as asbestos was used in a very wide range of building and in-home products and continues to appear in some products today. And it might be an error to presume this is the most serious hazard in a home as well.
In our article above we report in detail on the occurrence of asbestos in Zonolite Attic Insulation (ZAI) produced by the Zonolite Company and by its successor owner- W.R. Grace Corporation between 1923 and 1990.
Watch out: It might be useful to have your vermiculite insulation tested. If the result shows Tremolite asbestos (vermiculite mined at Libby Montana had a 10% Tremolite asbestos content) that probably points to the Libby vermiculite mine. But the US EPA warns that bulk testing of vermiculite for asbestos content can sometimes lead to a false negative finding (failing to detect asbestos even though it is present). That's a reason that the US EPA warned that people should err on the side of caution, assuming that it is asbestos-contaminated.
We also are researching the question of whether or not one can report a contents profile that would let one assay a vermiculite sample and guess at its source - as can be done very accurately with roofing slates. We will add that information here.
Question: Insulation in a 1969 house looks like white and gray furry stuff - is this vermiculite or asbestos?
I am buying a house that was build in 1969. I have not tested the insulation yet (I will). However, it doesn't looks like any of the above pictures. It looks like white and gray and furry. Are there still chance for the insulation to contain vermiculite or asbestos? - Will 7/12/2012
Reply:
Will,
For help in identifying the type of insulation in your home, see our INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE. From your description you may be looking at Mineral Wool - Rock Wool Insulation.
Question: was asbestos-contaminated vermiculite imported into the U.K.?
Are you aware if any of this contaminated vermiculite was imported to the UK? Thank you. - Laurence 9/15/2012
Reply:
Sorry Laurence, no I don't know.
Typically, because of price competition and the importance of shipping costs, insulation products are produced and shipped from locations a bit closer to their point of use.
Question: where can I have a sample of vermiculite insulation to have it tested?
I recently purchased a house from HUD. I had my home inspected and found out there is exposed vermiculite in the basement that has fallen to the floor and is now been tracked around. Where can I take a sample of this insulation to have it tested ? - Tim 9/16/2012
Reply: Where to Find a Certified or Accredited Asbestos Testing Laboratory
Tim, you can use any test laboratory certified for asbestos testing. Both the US EPA and many U.S. states or Canadian provinces maintain lists of currently-approved asbestos testing labs.
Most state and provincial governments regulate and certify asbestos testing laboratories, and we recommend that where there are health, legal, or cost concerns, you should only use a certified and competent asbestos testing laboratory to examine material samples for asbestos content.
We give a list of several ways to find a certified asbestos test lab at ASBESTOS TEST LABS.
Question: worried sick after our home inspector tested our "vermiculite insulation" for asbestos - lab said it was cellulose
I recently bought a 1940s house which upon inspection was suspected to have vermiculita in a small area of the attic. The home inspector got it tested and it came back composed of cellulose and non fibrous materials, no asbestos. fast forward a few months we are now having our batting insulation replaced and the guys doing the work tell us its vermiculite. What do we go by? we also had our contractor tell us that its not vermiculite...im worried sick that now that the batting insulation is being removed, asbestos fibers might flying all over our house! - Worried sick., 10/5/2012
Reply: cellulose is not vermiculite and is not asbestos; but one insulation sample may not represent all building insulation in the structure
Worried:
You might be best off trying to not be worried sick, as that itself may be an immediate health hazard and also invites opportunists who may price-gouge you when they see that you're terrified. Scared means costly.
Provided your home inspector used a qualified forensic or asbestos test lab (see Where to Find a Certified or Accredited Asbestos Testing Laboratory), I'd trust their lab result for the insulation sample that was actually tested.
I am a little surprised that your home inspector could not himself tell the very obvious difference between cellulose building insulation and vermiculite insulation. They are not at all visually similar. Why did he test cellulose (Cellulose loose fill insulation - basically paper) for asbestos? Did he charge you a profit beyond the actual lab fee for that test?
I am not surprised that workers may have found vermiculite insulation in a 1940's house; Vermiculite was widely used as a pour-in insulation retrofit and often a 1940's home was originally built with little or no insulation to start with. In the 1970's many of us (including myself) added various insulation products, including vermiculite, in those homes.
By taking a look at the photographs in this article, even a child should be able to see the difference between vermiculite and other building insulation products. Our photo above shows a typical blown-in cellulose insulation installation. If indeed your workers are correct and vermiculite is in place, you should
- Stop any work on the building that is or is likely to disturb the material and then
- Follow the advice at Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation
- If someone has already made a dusty mess in the home, extra cleaning measures such as damp-wiping and HEPA vacuuming are probably in order, asbestos-containing-vermiculite or not.
...
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- [1] Thanks to Gary Randolph, Ounce of Prevention Home Inspection, LLC Buffalo, NY, for attentive reading and editing suggestions. Mr. Randolph can be reached in Buffalo, NY, at (716) 636-3865 or email: gary@ouncehome.com, March 2007
- [2] Thanks for photographs of transite asbestos heating ducts, courtesy of Thomas Hauswirth, Managing Member of Beacon Fine Home Inspections, LLC and (in 2007) Vice President, Connecticut Association of Home Inspectors Ph. 860-526-3355 Fax 860-526-2942 beaconinspections@sbcglobal.net, June 2007
- [3] Thanks to home inspector Dan Phillips, Advanced Home Inspections, at P.O. Box 1068 Olive Branch, MS 38654-1068 , (901) 229-0822 email: dan@midsouthahi.com 05/29/2010
- [4] David Grudzinski, Advantage Home Inspections, ASHI cert # 249089, HUD cert# H-145, is a professional home inspector who contributes on various topics including structural matters. Mr. Grudzinski, Cranston RI serving both Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut can be reached at 401-935-6547 fax- 401-490-0607 or by email to Davidgrudzinski@aol.com. Mr. Grudzinski is a regular contributor to InspectAPedia.com - see DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study, and BASEMENT WATER MOLD IMPACT and VERMICULITE INSULATION for examples.
- [5] Vermiculite: Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation, U.S. EPA, web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html
- [6] HOJA INFORMATIVA - Proteja a su familia del aislante de vermiculita contaminado con asbestos, web search 08/17/2010, original source http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm-ques-sp.pdf
- [7] Vermiculite Insulation Containing,
Amphibole Asbestos [PDF], Health Canada, September 2009, web search Jan 2011, source: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/insulation-isolant-eng.php [copy on file as /hazmat/Vermiculite_Health_Canada.pdf] Vermiculite Insulation Containing Amphibole Asbestos - September 2009, Health Canada Quoting from the PDF document:
Some vermiculite insulation may contain amphibole asbestos fibres. These products can cause health risks if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition. However, there is currently no evidence of risk to your health if the insulation is sealed behind wallboards and floorboards, isolated in an attic, or otherwise kept from exposure to the interior environment. - [8] Vermiculite:
Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation, U.S. EPA , web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html [copy on file as /hazmat/Vermiculite_US_EPA.pdf/ Current Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation - May 2003, U.S. EPA
Web search 01/20/2011, original source: http://epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm_questions.html- Proteja su familia del aislante de vermiculita contaminado con asbestos, U.S. EPA HOJA INFORMATIVA - Proteja a su familia del aislante de vermiculita contaminado con asbestos, web search 08/17/2010, original source http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm-ques-sp.pdf
- [10] "Zonolite Attic Insulation Safety Facts", W.R. Grace Corporation, web search 5/1/2012, original source: http://www.grace.com/about/ehs/libby/zonolite.aspx, [copy on file as /2 Environmental Hazards/Asbestos/Zonolite_Grace_Info.pdf ]
- [11] "Libby Timeline", W.R. Grace Corporation, web search 4/28/12, original source :http://www.grace.com/about/ehs/libby/timeline.aspx
[copy on file as [Libby_History_Grace.pdf] - [12]Asbestos Identification, Walter C.McCrone, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, IL.1987 ISBN 0-904962-11-3. Dr. McCrone literally "wrote the book" on asbestos identification procedures which formed the basis for current work by asbestos identification laboratories.
- [13] Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151
- [14] Pott, F., Staub-Reinhalf Luft 38, 486-490 (1978) cited by McCrone
- [15] "Financial Reorganization", W.R. Grace corporation, web search 5/8/11, original source: http://www.grace.com/About/Reorganization.aspx, [copy filed as /Grace_Financial_Reorg.pdf]
- [16] The Perlite Institute, Inc., 4305 North Sixth Street Suite A Harrisburg, PA 17110, Tel: 717-238-9723, Fax: 717-238-9985, Email: info@perlite.org, Website: http://www.perlite.org/
- [17] Schundler Company, Edison, NJ 732-287-2244 email: info@schundler.com Schundler provides information about the application-use of both perlite and vermiculite insulation products.
Vermiculite MSDS for Schundler's vermiculite product - [18] "Coping With Suspect Insulation", Jay Romano, The New York Times, 8 June 2003, p. 7
- [19] "Hazardous Materials: EPA’s Assessment of Sites that May Have Received Asbestos-Contaminated Ore from Libby, Montana (GAO-09-7sp, March 2009), an E-supplement to GAO-09-6R - Koos Inc., 2000 DeKovan Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin", The U.S. Government Accounting Office, Special Publications, web search 5/8/12, original source:
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-09-7sp/file155.html - [20] "Hazardous Materials: EPA’s Assessment of Sites that May Have Received Asbestos-Contaminated Ore from Libby, Montana (GAO-09-7sp, March 2009), an E-supplement to GAO-09-6R - Koos Inc., 2000 DeKovan Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin", The U.S. Government Accounting Office, Special Publications, web search 5/8/12, original source:
Former exfoliation facility: http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-09-7sp/file154.html - Asbestos Identification, Walter C.McCrone, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, IL.1987 ISBN 0-904962-11-3. Dr. McCrone literally "wrote the book" on asbestos identification procedures which formed
the basis for current work by asbestos identification laboratories.
- Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151
- Pott, F., Staub-Reinhalf Luft 38, 486-490 (1978) cited by McCrone
- Asbestos NESHAP Adequately Wet Guidance, EPA340/1-90-019, December 1990, U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Stationary Source Compliance Division, Washington, DC 20460,original web source: http://www.epa.gov/region04/air/asbestos/awet.htm
- Asbestos paper duct wrap
- Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on Asbestos, Its Industrial Applications, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print, text and images available at InspectAPedia.com).
- EPA Asbestos Materials Bans: Clarification 1999
- Dust from the World Trade Center collapse following the 9/11/01 attack: the lower floors of this building contained spray-on fire-proofing asbestos materials.
- Asbestos Information Links: Asbestos Detection, Testing, Recognition, Hazards, Field Photos, and Information Sources, including health-related links such as legal services and information about mesothelioma and other cancers.
- Basic Information about Asbestos, US EPA, web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html
- "Handling Asbestos-Containing roofing material - an update", Carl Good, NRCA Associate Executive Director, Professional Roofing, February 1992, p. 38-43
- EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
- Copy on file as - /hazmat/Asbestos_in_Your_Home_US_EPA.pdf - Asbestos in Your Home - U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
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