Vermiculite Asbestos Attic Insulation

Most specialists encourage abatement.

Vermiculite asbestos attic insulation.

Vermiculite is utilized for attic insulation as well as other purposes. The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos. The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. You can also check for markings on the material or its packaging.

Vermiculite is a mineral that was used for insulation. Vermiculite attic insulation is a pebble like pour in product and is usually light brown gray or gold in color. That s good news because most zonolite a type of vermiculite insulation falls into that category. Vermiculite insulation removal costs.

However the vermiculite used in about 70 percent of the zonolite product came from the montana mine mentioned a moment ago. What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits. If your home was built before 1990 you might have vermiculite insulation in your walls or attic. Vermiculite in and of itself is not dangerous.

Not all vermiculite contains asbestos. Vermiculite attic insulation removal costs anywhere from 4 to 10 per square foot. Vermiculite loose fill insulation is one of the most common household materials that contains asbestos. The epa says that vermiculite insulation which is the pebbly stuff found in attics of many older homes is only risky if it contains more than one percent asbestos.

Came from a mine in libby montana sold under the name zonolite. Vermiculite insulation has a pebble like appearance and typically is a grayish brown or silvery gold color. Installing new insulation costs an average of 1 400. As long as this kind of vermiculite based insulation remains undisturbed behind intact walls or in attic spaces and does not become airborne it should not be a concern.

The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics. When heated to a high temperature flakes of vermiculite expand as much as 8 30 times their original size. However some vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibres which can cause problems if inhaled. Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne.

It may have shiny flakes and or small accordion like pieces see photos above. It is made from a natural mineral material that is mined from the earth. Consider this statement from research titled zonolite attic insulation exposure studies where even the suggested method for removal by the manufacturer grace created a very unsafe condition. One common brand was called zonolite.

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.