Is Vermiculite Insulation Affecting Your Family? Here’s How to Find out.

You may not know about materials in insulation like vermiculite. Here’s a primer and history to better inform you for your health, and everyone else’s.

What Is Vermiculite Insulation?

Vermiculite is a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral which undergoes significant expansion when heated. Exfoliation occurs when the mineral is heated sufficiently. Above 300°C, it expands to become a highly efficient heat-insulating material. The expanded vermiculite has unique properties. Low bulk density and low heat conductivity are important ones. A relatively high melting point, chemical inertness, endurance, and environmental safety are others. It can be used as a filler for heat-insulating materials. Heat insulators based on expanded vermiculite can be used in thermal power units with the hot-wall temperature not exceeding 1150°C as replacement for lightweight chamotte components and fibrous heat insulators.

Libby Mine

During the 1920s the Zonolite Company formed and began mining the vermiculite at Zonolite Mountain. In 1963, W.R. Grace bought the operations. At its peak, the Libby mine may have provided 80 percent of the world’s vermiculite. The vermiculite ore mined contained elongate mineral particles identified as a mixture of asbestiform amphiboles, including winchite, richterite, and tremolite asbestos that was randomly mixed into the insulation. Most of that was contaminated with what would become known as Libby Amphibole Asbestos. The contamination was not limited just to the mine site. Libby residents were able to pick up free truckloads of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite for use at home. The vermiculite mining operation was finally closed in 1990. In 1999, the EPA sent an Emergency Response Team to Libby. In 2002, the EPA added Libby Asbestos to the National Priorities List as a superfund cleanup site.

EPA Recommendations

• 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 insulation yourself.

• Hire a professional asbestos contractor if you plan to remodel or conduct renovations

The Zonolite Trust

The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust now serves to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos. It also provides complimentary vermiculite testing and partial reimbursement to property damage claimants. This reimbursement is designed to help with of the cost of professional Zonolite removal and asbestos abatement. www.zonoliteatticinsulation.com