Vermiculite & Asbestos: The Dangerous Duo
Vermiculite & Asbestos: The Dangerous Duo
Vermiculite Insulation
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is used for commercial purposes such as insulation and as an agricultural soil amendment. Vermiculite insulation was commonly applied to attics and interior void spaces behind walls in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), a mine near Libby, Montana, was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the United States from 1919 to 1990. Vermiculite mined at Libby was sold under the brand name Zonolite, and it was contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos exposure is linked to lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Vermiculite varies in size and shape, and typically has a silver-gold or gray-brown color.
What if I have vermiculite insulation?
If you suspect that you have vermiculite insulation, it is very important that you do not disturb it. Asbestos hazards are created when asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are disturbed. Renovations involving areas with vermiculite insulation, and even storing and retrieving items in an attic with vermiculite insulation would be considered disturbance. There is no way to discern with the human eye whether vermiculite is contaminated with asbestos, since asbestos fibers are microscopic. A licensed asbestos inspector can carefully sample the vermiculite material to determine whether it contains asbestos using sound sampling techniques and laboratory analysis. If the inspector confirms that your vermiculite insulation contains asbestos, a licensed abatement contractor should conduct removal of the vermiculite insulation prior to any disturbance. Delaying your home renovation to ensure you do not expose yourself to a potential asbestos hazard is well worth the peace of mind. Even if you are not planning to renovate or store items in an area with vermiculite insulation, cracks in your ceiling or walls may allow the release of asbestos fibers from vermiculite insulation to enter common areas of your building or home. Air monitoring for asbestos by a licensed asbestos inspector can help you determine whether your vermiculite insulation has released asbestos fibers into the breathing areas of your building or home.
What laws apply to me if I have vermiculite insulation?
Confirming whether your vermiculite insulation contains asbestos is the first step to determining what laws apply. Indiana has notification requirements for demolition or renovation of commercial and industrial buildings that have ACM. These requirements also apply to renovations and demolitions of multi-family buildings with more than four separate dwelling units. Owners of single-family homes are generally exempt from air quality regulations, but are still required to dispose of ACM in accordance with solid waste handling and disposal laws. Additionally, there are specific requirements for asbestos inspections and monitoring in school buildings. VET’s team of experienced and licensed environmental professionals can help guide you through which regulations apply to you.
How can VET help?
VET’s team of experienced, licensed asbestos inspectors can take samples of the vermiculite insulation to determine if it contains asbestos. VET follows all regulatory guidelines when sampling, and analysis is performed by a third-party laboratory. Depending on your situation, it may also be advisable to assume that vermiculite insulation contains asbestos. VET’s asbestos inspectors also perform air monitoring in your home to determine the presence or absence of asbestos fibers in indoor air. This is particularly important if you have already disturbed the vermiculite insulation, as any disturbance could have released asbestos fibers into the air. If you are conducting abatement and removal of the vermiculite insulation, VET provides independent oversight, confirmatory inspections, and confirmatory sampling to ensure the abatement contractor effectively removed the asbestos hazards in your home. If you are unsure what steps to take, give us a call or submit a request form. We are happy to discuss your individual needs and will strive to prepare a plan that fits your budget, complies with applicable regulatory requirements, and is sufficiently protective of your health and the environment.