Q & A Regarding Vermiculite Insulation

What phone numbers can I call if I have health or homeowner-related questions about vermiculite insulation?

EPA has a toll-free number (1-800-471-7127) to call with vermiculite-related questions. Callers from New England will be referred to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry web page (www.atsdr.cdc.gov) for health questions and EPA New England's asbestos program coordinator for homeowner questions.

What is vermiculite insulation and where does it come from?

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined throughout the world. In the United States, active vermiculite mining operations are in South Carolina and Virginia. When heated, the vermiculite ore expands into a light, fluffy material, that is fire resistant, chemically inert, absorbent, light weight and odorless. The absorbent properties of the expanded vermiculite make it useful in lawn and garden, agricultural, and horticultural products. It is commonly used as an ingredient in potting soil, thermal and sound insulation, construction material, insulation material and for lightweight, absorbent packaging material.

How is W.R. Grace Co. involved in this issue?

W.R.Grace owned and operated a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. Much of the vermiculite from this mine was used in the company's Zonolite attic insulation, a product that the company sold from 1963 to 1984 when its sale by the company was discontinued. More than 75 percent of the vermiculite ore mined in the world came from the Libby mine, which has been closed since 1990.

If I have vermiculite insulation, is it possible it contains asbestos?

The Libby mine was unusual because the area also included a natural deposit of tremolite asbestos. As a result, much of the vermiculite from the Libby mine was contaminated with tremolite asbestos. In light of the amount of vermiculite that came from Libby, it may be best to simply assume the vermiculite attic insulation will contain trace amounts of asbestos and act accordingly.

What should I do if I have vermiculite attic-insulation in my home?

Look at the insulation without disturbing it. Commercial vermiculite can range in size from very fine particles to large (course) pieces nearly one inch long. Vermiculite attic insulation is a light weight, pebble-like, pour-in or add-on (loose) product and is usually light brown or gold in color. It's texture is often compared to "popcorn" and can often be re-shaped when pressed together with the fingers. If it appears you have vermiculite insulation in your home, we recommend the following steps:

If possible, leave the insulation undisturbed. Asbestos fibers will not become airborne if the insulation is well contained. If the vermiculite is sealed behind wallboards and floorboards or is isolated in an attic that is vented outside, the best approach to avoid exposure to asbestos is to keep the vermiculite in place. If a ventilation system within the attic disturbs the material, it may be appropriate to have the air tested in your home.

Until there are better methods to analyze for asbestos in vermiculite, and to know what that means in terms of risk, it is best to assume the material may contain asbestos. If you decide to remove the vermiculite home insulation, use accredited, licensed asbestos removal professionals. Use of a “negative pressure enclosure” technique will prevent asbestos fibers and dust from escaping from the attic into the rest of the home. Do not attempt to do this yourself. You could spread asbestos fibers throughout your home, putting you and your family at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers.

Was Zonolite widely used?

Much of Zonolite vermiculite insulation came from the Libby, Montana mine that was used from the early 1900's until the mine was closed in 1990. Although Zonolite attic insulation had a healthy market in the northeast, the EPA has found it impossible to estimate the number of homes, businesses and schools that may still contain Zonolite vermiculite attic insulation.

How do I find a contractor?

Numerous consulting companies perform this kind of work. In Massachusetts, consultants must be licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Labor & Workforce Development. For a list of all certified contractors in Massachusetts, contact the MDLWD at (617) 969-7177. Callers from other New England states may obtain a list from your state environmental agencies or the state departments of health.

If there is asbestos in the insulation, should I have it removed?

Undisturbed vermiculite home insulation that is intact and not migrating into living areas should not pose a significant exposure hazard for home occupants. However, occupants should avoid going into their attics and disturbing the insulation. If work must be done in attics containing vermiculite asbestos insulation, it should be performed by professionals familiar with the handling and containment of asbestos containing materials. Before taking that step, homeowners should consider a number of factors. First, removing asbestos-containing materials is typically very expensive. If a significant amount of material is involved, it will probably cost thousands of dollars. If the insulation is not exposed to the home environment - for example, it's sealed behind wallboards and floorboards or is isolated in an attic that is vented outside - homeowners should leave it alone. For a fact sheet on Asbestos, visit ATSDR's web page at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts61.html. Further studies are being conducted by the EPA to evaluate the risks from vermiculite attic insulation.

Is my family at risk of exposure to asbestos if we have renovated and removed/disturbed the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation? What if I have lived in a home with vermiculite insulation?

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and easily released into the air. These tiny fibers can be present in the dust in an area where asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation is disturbed. Therefore, it is possible that you inhaled some asbestos fibers. The amount inhaled - and the corresponding risk - will depend on how many fibers (of the respirable size) were in the air, and the time period over which you were breathing the air containing the fibers, as well as how fast you were breathing. Risks are more substantial with longer and larger exposures.

If you are concerned about having experienced a significant exposure, consult a physician who specializes in environmental or occupational medicine. It may take many years after an exposure for symptoms to develop; however, you should see a doctor if you notice any change in your breathing ability or develop problems breathing.

I understand that much of the data EPA now has on risk from exposure to asbestos in vermiculite products stems from a study conducted in Vermont. Why did EPA initiate this study and what were the results of the study?

The study was initiated to determine whether vermiculite attic insulation could expose homeowners to asbestos. EPA did not intend this to be a comprehensive risk assessment. As part of EPA’s research plan, a more comprehensive risk assessment will be conducted.

The preliminary results of this phase of the study indicate that exposure to asbestos is possible when vermiculite attic insulation is disturbed. The results of the initial phase of the study have enabled EPA to identify additional areas requiring further study and the agency is planning a larger scale investigation into risks. The results of the study support the agency’s existing guidance to homeowners: 1) manage asbestos contaminated material in place, 2) do not disturb it and 3) hire professionals for removal and testing.