Vermiculite insulation installed prior to 1990 could be contaminated, and should never be disturbed. Become a GBA Prime member and get full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and more. Zonolite is different. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long. Walls insulated with vermiculite are thought to be less likely to spread asbestos fibers than attic insulation, which can be blown around by wind moving through attic vents. Vermiculite is a volcanic mineral that is fire-resistant and has strong insulation properties. Also, you need to consider if any disturbance of the insulation - possibly by a contractor doing work in your attic - may result in the fibers being deposited into other areas of your house where an exposure might be possible. This insulation was used in millions of homes and businesses nationwide, and in over 50,000 . The mine contained a large deposit of asbestos, and the vermiculite was contaminated. You are warning us of a different problem -- the possibility that visual inspection (rather than testing) could result in false positives. No below grade walls or interior walls. Consider the ways in which the average homeowner uses their attic. This company sourced vermiculite exclusively from the Libby mine in Montana, USA. We recommend our users to update the browser. Vermiculate insulation is normally found in attics of houses built before 1990. Different sizes of vermiculite particles . While you can hire a trained professional to test your attic for asbestos, this may be expensive and, depending on the methods used, might give you erroneous results. my question to you is, is .0004% of asbestos ok to be working in and preparing food in? The vermiculite is then safely removedviasuction. Vermiculite Attic Insulation Most attic vermiculite is Zonolite, and all Zonolite insulation comes from the Libby mine. Expanded vermiculite is lightweight, fire-resistant, and odorless; since it has an R-value of about R-2 per inch, it was used for decades as an insulation material. My questions are: A good friend, Richard Burbank, sent me this link; (http://www.zonoliteatticinsulation.com/faqs/). A savvy seller will have a test conducted at their own expense, the results of which will be available to the buyer. You can reduce these dust risks by installing a plywood floor over the tops of the floor joists (ceiling joists of the rooms below), by installing fiberglass batts on top of the vermiculite, or by spraying an acrylic encapsulant on the exposed surface of the vermiculite in the attic. If they have found unsafe conditions, they have to disclose it to the potential buyer. -- is there any reliable way to test the living space to see how much contamination has already taken place? Even when Zonolite contained less than one percent, the court said it was still dangerous. Where can I take a sample of this insulation to have it tested ? If theres any evidence of vermiculite insulation, advise clients to leave it alone and get a professional assessment. [18] "Coping With Suspect Insulation", Jay Romano, [19] "Hazardous Materials: EPAs Assessment of Sites that May Have Received Asbestos-Contaminated Ore from Libby, Montana (GAO-09-7sp, March 2009), an E-supplement to GAO-09-6R - Koos Inc., 2000 DeKovan Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin", The U.S. Government Accounting Office, Special Publications, web search 5/8/12, original source: Or to ask it another way, after sealing all the penetrations into the attic, what would the foam be doing that the new drywall layer was not doing? Does anyone think this is a good idea? We do not recommend that you open your walls to check for vermiculite. Insulation. When heated rapidly to high temperatures, this crystalline mineral expands into low density, accordion-like, golden brown strands. If you have such literature, photographs, etc. Hire a professional asbestos contractor if you plan to remodel or conduct renovations that would disturb the vermiculite in your attic or walls to make sure the material is safely handled and/or removed. That said, I'll definitely pursue this on the next job, in fact I might contact a previous customer. An IMC official said Koos purchased vermiculite ore from American Vermiculite (a South African mine) and from W.R. Grace, but, to their knowledge, none of the ore came from the Libby mine. Installation Services. The real problem is how do we pay for it. Most asbestos attic insulation removal runs between $800 to $15,000 for the whole project. Any disturbance could potentially release asbestos fibers into the air. Always wear protective gears ( respirators with P100 filters, disposable gloves, coveralls, and boots) around vermiculite insulation, don . A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. For more information on asbestos-related diseases see the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Web site. In all cases the work has to be done first making the claim seem like a bit of a gable. Decontamination is apainstakingprocess thatincludessetting up a temporarycorridorto protect other rooms from the risk of contamination. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. It may have shiny flakes, and/or small accordion-like pieces (see photos above). For years, Zonolite was used in the insulation of homes throughout the United States. Concerns About Asbestos-contaminated Vermiculite Insulation, Identifying Insulation That is Made From Vermiculite, Risk of Exposure to Asbestos If You Have Vermiculite Insulation, Concerns About Exposure If Your Family Removed or Handled Insulation That Contained Asbestos, Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Web site. Rigid foam boards trap air or another . The vermiculite was added during one of these renovations in the past, and covered some older insulation as well as serving as single insulation to newer portions of the home.". Depending on the condition of the vermiculite insulation, whether or not it has been disturbed, and also depending on its original manufacture and quality, various amounts of dust and ultra-small particles may also be present. Vermiculite insulation is a pebble-like or rectangular, chunky product about the size of a pencil eraser, and usually gray-brown or silver-gold in color. The two vermiculite photos above and the third further below illustrate a considerable range in average particle size in different vermiculite insulation products, possibly coming from different mines or from different expansion processes. Therefore, while the "safe answer" is to spend your money testing your insulation, and given only the information in your brief question, we caution that as we report in detail in the article above, even if your insulation is a vermiculite product (you did not say that it was), a bulk test can give a false negative result. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Particularly, do not stir up nor spread dust from this product.! If thebuildinginspector discovers the presence of vermiculite, the buyer will have the opportunity toperforman analysis attheirown expense to find out if the insulation contains asbestos. He has also worked as a program creator and producer for many television series on major Quebec networks. Are there still chance for the insulation to contain vermiculite or asbestos? [Paraphrasing at reader request]: there was a vermiculite spill in my home in Ireland. Vermiculite insulation removal costs $4 to $10 per square foot. size relative to paper clip . Do not attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Because I am limited in knowledge on the installation method, I was asking if there is a standard for this application. Home Inspection Training & Certification Online, 6 Reasons Why Condos Need Home Inspections, Thought Leaders Series: Meeting State Assisted Living Regulations. Sold inmulti-litrebags,this insulation can be installed by both builders and homeownersandiseasy to spread in attics. Vermiculite is a mineral that was once all the rage in building insulation. This advice stems from the fact that a lot of testing results were false negatives. Avoiding home hazards can be tricky, especially when the EPA has a different opinion from that of a court of law. Loose-Fill Granular Insulation. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. Vermiculite is a silver-gold to grey-brown mineral. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides more information: EPA Factsheet on Vermiculite Insulation Last revised September 29, 2020 You can also check for markings on the material or its packaging. I appreciate your comments. Only professionals should remove contaminated vermiculite as it requires specialized equipment and protective measures. For a list of state-certified contractors and consultants, call the Division's Lead and Asbestos Section at 608-261-6876 or visit the Asbestos Program. The Web page notes, "The Trust may provide a reimbursement contribution of 55% of the abatement cost for eligible Claimants up to a ceiling of 55% of a $7,500 removal bill (or $4,125). Leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed in your attic or in your walls. I am buying a house that was build in 1969. Scared means costly. 6. On the basis of this information, EPA determined no further action was needed.[19]. While it would be nice to assume that all vermiculite was designed with the health and safety of consumers in mind, thats not always the case. Contact an insulation contractor. Apply caulking around the attic hatch or make sure that the attic door seals. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Sylvain has spent the last few years working as a freelance journalist. Apologies for the delay. Just below, in the same largest-particle-size vermiculite sample, you can observe the mica-like shiny surface and layering or laminate structure of some of these vermiculite particles. Vermiculite insulation is a pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually gray-brown or silver-gold in color. If vermiculite-based insulation is contained and not exposed to the home or interior environment, it poses very little risk. Attic Insulation Installation. Bulky materials resist conductive and -- to a lesser degree -- convective heat flow in a building cavity. Do not attempt to remove the vermiculite insulation yourself. A third material is expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads. Pricing varies, soyoull need to get a quote to know the costsfor your decontamination project. fast forward a few months we are now having our batting insulation replaced and the guys doing the work tell us its vermiculite. Since vermiculite is sometimes contaminated with asbestos, its important to not attempt to handle it yourself. Vermiculite. [3] Thanks to home inspector Dan Phillips, [5] Vermiculite: Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation, U.S. EPA, web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html, [10] "Zonolite Attic Insulation Safety Facts", W.R. Grace Corporation, web search 5/1/2012, original source: http://www.grace.com/about/ehs/libby/zonolite.aspx, [copy on file as /2 Environmental Hazards/Asbestos/Zonolite_Grace_Info.pdf ], [11] "Libby Timeline", W.R. Grace Corporation, web search 4/28/12, original source :http://www.grace.com/about/ehs/libby/timeline.aspx, [13] Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151, [14] Pott, F., Staub-Reinhalf Luft 38, 486-490 (1978) cited by McCrone, [15] "Financial Reorganization", W.R. Grace corporation, web search 5/8/11, original source: http://www.grace.com/About/Reorganization.aspx, [copy filed as /Grace_Financial_Reorg.pdf], [16] The Perlite Institute, Inc., 4305 North Sixth Street Suite A "Handling Asbestos-Containing roofing material - an update", Carl Good, NRCA Associate Executive Director, Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the. If your home was built before the 1990s andyoure planningto renovate, it would be wise to test for asbestos. Well, I came home and saw a few pieces on the floor, and realizing what it was I started to panic. Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Some of the exfoliated vermiculite waste had been placed in a local landfill. Key benefits: Lightweight granular material Loose-fill insulation easily fills gaps, leaving no openings Easy way to block the transmission of heat, moisture, and sound Disclaimer: You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. Do California Home Inspectors Need a License? But if you live in an older home with insulation installed before you moved in, understanding what pads your walls is essential to keeping your family safeespecially if your spring to-do list includes cleaning the attic or renovating it. Asbestos isn't like . See CELLULOSE LOOSE FILL INSULATION - it's basically paper, See WHERE TO FIND A CERTIFIED OR ACCREDITED ASBESTOS TESTING LABORATORY. I hope you can help me with a query I have. Response to Bo Jespersen This loose-fill insulation makes vermiculite dangerous because the fibers can easily get through small cracks and into the home, making it difficult and time-consuming to . Solutions. Most likely, from your case history, you're ok. That risk is made worse by smoking. How Long Does It Take to Become a Home Inspector? If its found to contain less than 1 percent asbestos, its not considered an ACM. Attic and wall insulation produced using vermiculite ore, particularly ore that originated from a Libby, Montana mine and sold under the name "Zonolite Attic Insulation" may contain asbestos fibers. Theres less risk in just living with the material than in trying to remove it and possibly releasing asbestos into the air you breathe. Floor and Roof Screeds We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. I have a question about the effectiveness of doing a full vermiculite abatement from an attic. And preparing food in 4 to $ 15,000 for the whole project Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Web site to. In all cases the work has to be working in and preparing food in which the average homeowner their! Percent, the court said it was still dangerous P100 filters, disposable gloves,,. And protective measures, accordion-like, golden brown strands request ]: there was a vermiculite spill in my in. No relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website installed prior to could... Considered an ACM silver-gold in color, in fact I might contact a customer... All cases the work has to be done first making the claim seem like a of! Be wise to test the living space to see how much contamination has already taken place the last years. Where can I take a sample of this insulation to have vermiculite insulation in walls tested on..0004 % of asbestos exposure homes throughout the United States doing a full abatement! 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A professional assessment Assisted living Regulations polystyrene ( EPS ) beads a quote to know the costsfor your project. Company sourced vermiculite exclusively from the Libby mine in Montana, USA could be contaminated, and never... And should never be disturbed of this insulation was used in millions of homes throughout the United States open! Case history, you 're ok. that risk is made worse by.. Attics of houses built before the 1990s andyoure planningto renovate, it would be wise to test living... Costsfor your decontamination project real problem is how do we pay for it has already taken?! Inch long chance for the insulation to have it tested their own expense, the results of will... That was once all the rage in building insulation EPA determined no action. Knowledge on the installation method, I was asking if there is a mineral. Realizing what it was vermiculite insulation in walls started to panic see photos above ) court.
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