Vermiculite Attic Insulation The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offices have received a large number of phone calls from citizens concerned about vermiculite insulation in their home that might be contaminated with asbestos. EPA is gathering more information about Vermiculite Insulation and other products containing vermiculite. If you suspect vermiculite insulation is in your home, the safest thing is to leave the material alone. If you decide to remove or must otherwise disturb the material due to a renovation project, consult with an experienced asbestos contractor. The following information provides a common-sense approach to help you find out what kind of insulation is in your home and decide what to do if you have vermiculite insulation.
What is vermiculite insulation?
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like accordion shaped pieces when heated. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, absorbent, and odorless material. These properties allow vermiculite to be used to make numerous products, including attic insulation.
Do I have vermiculite insulation?
Vermiculite can be purchased in various forms for various uses. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long. Vermiculite attic insulation is a pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually light-brown or gold in color. The photos in Figure 32 , Figure 33 , and Figure 34 show several samples of vermiculite attic insulation.  | Figure 32: Different Grades of Vermiculite |  | Figure 33: Vermiculite Insulation in an Attic |  | Figure 34: Attic Containing Vermiculite Insulation |
Is vermiculite insulation a problem?
Prior to its close in 1990, much of the world’s supply of vermiculite came from a mine near Libby , Montana . This mine had a natural deposit of asbestos which resulted in the vermiculite being contaminated with asbestos. Attic insulation produced using vermiculite ore, particularly ore that originated from the Libby mine, may contain asbestos fibers. Today, vermiculite is mined at three U.S. facilities and in other countries which have low levels of contamination in the finished material.
What should I do if I have vermiculite attic insulation in my home?
Do NOT Disturb It!! Any disturbance has the potential to release asbestos fibers into the air. Limiting the number of trips you make to your attic and shortening the length of those trips can help limit your potential exposure. EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) strongly recommend that: > Vermiculite insulation be left undisturbed in your attic. Due to the uncertainties with existing testing techniques, it is best to assume that the material may contain asbestos.
> You should not store boxes or other items in your attic if retrieving the material will disturb the insulation.
> Children should not be allowed to play in an attic with open areas of vermiculite insulation.
> If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations that would disturb the vermiculite, hire professionals trained and certified to handle asbestos to safely remove the material.
> You should never attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire professionals trained and certified to safely remove the material.
What if I occasionally have to go into my attic?
EPA and ATSDR strongly recommend that homeowners make every effort not to disturb vermiculite insulation in their attics. If you occasionally have to go into your attic, current best practices state that you should: 1. Make every effort to stay on the floored part of your attic and to not disturb the insulation.
2. If you must perform activities that may disturb the attic insulation such as moving boxes (or other materials), do so as gently as possible to minimize the disturbance.
3. Leave the attic immediately after the disturbance.
4. If you need work done in your attic, such as the installation of cable or utility lines, hire trained and certified professionals who can safely do the work.
5. It is possible that vermiculite attic insulation can sift through cracks in the ceiling, around light fixtures, or around ceiling fans. You can prevent this by sealing the cracks and holes that insulation could pass through.
6. Common dust masks are not effective against asbestos fibers. For information on the requirements for wearing a respirator mask, visit the following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website: www.osha.gov/
What are the next steps?
The guidance provided in this section reflects the current testing technology and knowledge of precautions one may take regarding vermiculite attic insulation. EPA is initiating further studies on vermiculite attic insulation and pursuing other asbestos related issues. Additional information will be provided to the public via the EPA www.epa.gov/asbestos/ and ATSDR www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ web sites and through additional outreach materials as it becomes available.
Is my health at risk from previous exposures to the asbestos in the insulation?
If you removed or disturbed the insulation, it is possible that you inhaled some asbestos fibers. Also the disturbance may have resulted in the fibers being deposited into other areas of the home. Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects. Disease symptoms may take several years to develop following exposure. If you are concerned about possible exposure, consult a physician who specializes in lung diseases - Pulmonologist.
Where can I get info on insulation testing or removal?
EPA and ATSDR strongly recommend using a trained and certified professional to conduct removal work. Removing the insulation yourself could potentially spread asbestos fibers throughout your home, putting you and your family at risk of inhaling these fibers. For certified asbestos removal professionals in your area, refer to your local Yellow Pages. Your State Environmental Agency can confirm that the company’s credentials are current. You can find your State Agency at: www.epa.gov/epahome/whereyoulive.htm
Currently, there are specific technical issues involving vermiculite sampling that can complicate testing for the presence of asbestos fibers and interpreting the risk from exposure. EPA and ATSDR are not recommending at this time that homeowners have vermiculite attic insulation tested for asbestos. As testing techniques are refined, EPA and ATSDR will provide information to the public on the benefits of testing that produce more definitive and accurate test results.
What about work-related exposure to vermiculite?
Workers who have had significant past exposure, or have significant ongoing exposure to asbestos, to vermiculite from Libby, or to other asbestos contaminated materials should consider getting a medical exam from a physician who knows about diseases caused by asbestos. For more information and to obtain a fact sheet concerning occupational exposure to vermiculite, contact the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at: 1-800-35-NIOSH, or www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html |
