What can I do about vermiculite in my attic?

We 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.

Should I remove vermiculite from attic?

Can I remove the vermiculite attic insulation myself? The EPA strongly recommends that "you should never attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire professionals trained and certified to safety remove the material."

Does vermiculite need to be removed?

The EPA recommends that vermiculite insulation be left undisturbed. Airborne asbestos fibers present a health risk through inhalation, so the first step is to not disturb the material, which could release fibers into the air. If you disturb the insulation, you may inhale some asbestos fibers.

How do you remediate vermiculite?

Just think, if you tried to sweep up dust it flies into the air. But mopping it up ensures it stays put and is easy to remove. A large shop vacuum works best in attics. Line the shop vac with heavy-gauge plastic bags and start sucking up the vermiculite.

Can you cover up vermiculite insulation?

It's dangerous to perform any attic air sealing work until all of the vermiculite has been removed by a certified asbestos abatement contractor, at a cost ranging from $7,000 to $12,000. It's dangerous to install cellulose insulation on top of the vermiculite.

Vermiculite Insulation Containing Asbestos (Dangers And Warnings)

How do you deal with vermiculite insulation?

How can you tell if vermiculite has asbestos?

The only way to identify asbestos is through microscopic examination of the material. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring “mica-like” mineral that was mined and processed into attic insulation starting in the 1920's and ending in the early 1990's.

What are the dangers of vermiculite?

By not disturbing the vermiculite, you are reducing your chances for exposure to asbestos. If vermiculite is disturbed, it could cause tiny, needle-like asbestos fibers to become airborne. Asbestos in the air can be inhaled and cause lung damage. If asbestos is not in the air, it is not dangerous to your lungs.

What happens if you breathe in asbestos once?

It is possible to develop an illness such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, pleural effusions or lung cancer after a one-time exposure to asbestos if the exposure was significant enough to lead to asbestos particles lodging in the body's tissues. The 9/11 attack is a common example.

When did they stop using vermiculite insulation?

The vermiculite from Libby is part of the longest man-made environmental disaster in American history. It was mined there for more than 50 years, ending in 1990. The insulation, which was known by the brand name Zonolite, is most often found in residential attics.

Is asbestos in my attic?

Unfinished attics might have more visible evidence of asbestos. If the insulation is made from vermiculite, there's an excellent chance it contains asbestos. You can identify vermiculite by its appearance. It's made from small, pebble-like bits.

How much exposure to asbestos will cause mesothelioma?

Pleural is the most common type, representing about 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Out of all people with heavy, prolonged exposure to asbestos, 2% to 10% develop pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show until 20-50 years after asbestos exposure, which is when tumors have grown and spread.

Can asbestos be found in insulation?

Some insulation materials — including fiberglass, cellulose, and mineral wool — rarely contain hazardous mineral. Others, especially vermiculite insulation, almost always contain asbestos. Fortunately, vermiculite insulation is easily identifiable.

What are the first signs of asbestos poisoning?

How long does it take for asbestos symptoms to show up?

It can take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear.

Will a mask protect you from asbestos?

Not made to stop asbestos

A dust mask is great at what it's supposed to do, which is blocking normal dust. However, it is not enough to stop asbestos particles. Wearing a simple mask from Lowe's or Home Depot isn't going to give you the protection you need or ensure that you don't develop mesothelioma.

Is there still asbestos in vermiculite?

Vermiculite and gardening use

An EPA study showed some vermiculite products contain low levels of asbestos. Asbestos is found primarily in the unmixed vermiculite product although some was found in pre-mixed potting soils. For consumers using vermiculite on an infrequent basis the health risk is low.

Does vermiculite ceilings contain asbestos?

Not all vermiculite contains asbestos. Only scientific testing will determine if the vermiculite contains asbestos. Vermiculite is a silver-gold to gray-brown mineral that isflat and shiny in its natural state. When heated to around 1000 degrees C, itpops (or puffs up) which creates pockets of air.

Is vermiculite poisonous to humans?

Vermiculite itself is safe to use; there is no evidence that any acute or chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity exists from long-term exposure to vermiculite.

Can you put fiberglass insulation over vermiculite?

Chip D'Angelo, president of WCD Consultants, an asbestos remediation company in Pennington, N.J., said fiberglass insulation batts can be installed directly over the existing vermiculite if its surface is sprayed with a mist of water to avoid creating dust, and if a protective breathing mask is worn.

How do you detect vermiculite?

Vermiculite is a silver-gold to gray-brown mineral that is flat and shiny (flakes) in its natural state. It's composition and the presence of trace minerals or other contaminants depends on where it is located. When vermiculite ore is heated to around 1000 degrees C, it pops (or puffs up) which creates pockets of air.

Is vermiculite flammable?

It is noncombustible and non-flammable. HEALTH EFFECTS OR RISKS FROM EXPOSURE. mask suitable for nuisance dust.

Is vermiculite toxic to dogs?

Dog Curiosity

Chewing volcanic perlite, a form of volcanic glass, could damage teeth. Vermiculite remains swollen and might cause health problems but would feel mushy when eaten.