), Nova Southeastern University (M. Vermiculite insulation product from the Libby mine in Montana is known to contain high levels of amphibolic asbestos. S. There are six types, all of which are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals, each fibre (particulate with length substantially greater than width) being composed of many microscopic "fibrils" that can be released into the atmosphere by. Typical home attic can run $3,000 to $15,000 depending on the size and complexity. Airborne asbestos Last published: May 11,. 3. I found a couple of paper bags in the attic today with the name Micafil. Written by Tara Strand on May 4, 2018. £40. The insulation is delivered in light, 100 Litre bags which are easy to handle, even on a ladder or in a cramped loft space. It can contribute to cardiac failure and is often fatal. Since there is. S. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol1995 Jun;21 (3):397-405. The Health Risks Of Vermiculite Containing Amphibole Asbestos Although the overall percentages of. PACKAGING AND STORAGEPACKAGING AND STORAG EEE Exfoliated vermiculite is supplied in bulk bags or ~100 litre pre-packed plastic bags. At the height of asbestos insulation use, there were many different brands, including Zonolite, Kaylo and Limpet. Vermiculite Insulation. Search. Vermiculite-based insulation may contain asbestos. Known as Micafil, expanded vermiculite is a 100% natural material that can be used for void fill. The most common asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation is zonolite. Moving the vermiculite will cause fibres to become airborne. However, it is very simple to analyse vermiculite for asbestos contamination. Asbestos crystals that are found in vermiculate have a higher density than the rest of the insulation. This product is irritant free, lightweight and fireproof up to. However, to be safe and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is reasonable to assume that if your building has older vermiculite-based insulation, it may contain some amphibole asbestos. Additionally, some asbestos. Reinforcing this conclusion is the fact that the type of asbestos found in Libby vermiculite is “amphibole” asbestos, which is even more hazardous than the chrysotile asbestos that was most. Vermiculite / Micafil is a highly versatile product which is used in many applications, it can withstand temperatures of up to 1000 degrees and we recommend this product for. If the fluff resembles a snow drift, you likely don’t have any asbestos. CARA is a ready-to-use, air-drying refractory adhesive. came from a mine near Libby, Montana, that contained a deposit of asbestos which contaminated the vermiculite. | | Organization (s): U. Modern vermiculite insulation, such as Micafil, will not cause health problems for homeowners. Loose Vermiculite. Under the settlement, Grace has funded the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust Fund from which eligible Claimants can be reimbursed for legitimate claims up to 55% of removal and reinsulation cost with a cap of $5,500. Federal guidelines are weak. As with other forms of asbestos, exposure to Libby. The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust may provide a reimbursement contribution of 55% of the abatement cost for eligible Claimants up to a ceiling of a $7,500 removal/reinsulation bill or $4,125. This Dupre Vermiculite loose-fill insulation is a highly absorbent protector suitable for packaging, chimney lining, loft insulation and high-temperature insulation. Micafil AG. Price of Micafil loft insulation. Vermiculite Insulation Identification Photographs. Class A Refractory Adhesive. C $78. Slab insulation, vermiculite Joliet, IL with asphalt binder Fiberglas Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. Contact Us. Is vermiculite insulation a problem? potential to release asbestos fibers into the air. The processing and manufacture of Vermiculite continues to be one of our core business markets. 75 per inch. Check the underside of your roof for a white or gray rough coating. The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently concluded that “all forms of asbestos are ‘carcinogenic to humans’” and that “mineral substances (e. It’s dangerous to install cellulose insulation on top of the vermiculite. When heated to around 1,000 °C, vermiculite flakes expand and form pockets of air, making the material seemingly ideal for use as insulation. OTS has long been concerned about human exposure to asbestos. How can I tell if my vermiculite insulation contains asbestos? You should assume that vermiculite insulation is from Libby and treat the material as if it contained asbestos by not disturbing it or by using a trained professional if it needs to be removed. These products can cause health risks if disturbed during maintenance, renovation. The price of a roll of Earthwool is £18 per roll (at B&Q) and will cover about 8. The vermiculite is clearly visible. Item Code: 487280161. Traditional "clicker presses" are great for larger quantity jobs and have been the standard in the industry for years. The EPA defines an asbestos-containing material (ACM) as having greater than 1 percent asbestos. Asbestos fibers. A well-insulated attic is a perfect storage place, but it must be safe. Researchers estimate that more than one million homes throughout. Price: £30 | Buy now from Buildingmaterials. Asbestos deposits Geology. Vermiculite insulation removal costs $4 to $10 per square foot. Opens in a new window or tab. The Trust is expected to operate for a minimum of 20 years. asbestos and take precautions. Vermiculite-fill insulation is one of the most common household materials that contain asbestos. Suitable for high temperature heating system insulation Lightweight and easy to handle Loose fill thermal insulation for interior use Used to produce lightweight and thermally efficient concretes and screeds A naturally occurring mineral Safe, inert and environmentally friendly; Dupre LTD MicaFil Grade Expanded Vermiculite 100L RVMV-L707D. These questions & answers about Mica-Fil, a Munn & Steele Vermiculite Insulation product and its asbestos content were posted originally at MUNN & STEEL & MICA-FIL VERMICULITE BUILDING INSULATION - be sure to see that article. This Dupre Vermiculite loose-fill insulation is a highly absorbent protector suitable for packaging, chimney lining, loft insulation and high-temperature insulation. Asbestos is a definite health hazard because the very tiny indestructible fibres float into your lungs and stay there, eventually causing cancer type growths. Micalite Boards is checked by an independent laboratory for the presence of Asbestos. The majority of homeowners need to be educated on the general danger of breathing and disturbing asbestos fiber. Older homes (built prior to 1990) have insulation that can contain anywhere from 15 % asbestos to 100% asbestos. This is a natural occuring mineral expanded at high temperatures to produce expanded particles 90% air. 5 – 3 mm 100 Kg/m 3Spray-applied surfacing asbestos-containing material. 3–2. The insulation lays flat – Zonolite lays flat and firm in the joist cavity, as opposed to loose-fill fiberglass, which tends to fluff up. Vermiculite Void Fill. Extracted from the mine between 1920 and 1990, this vermiculite insulation was sold in large bags mainly, but not exclusively, under the trademark Zonolite® Attic Insulation. EPA Factsheet about naturally-occurring asbestos in vermiculite insulation from. tested for $100 for 5 day turnaround, or $200 for 24 hour turnaround at. such as loose packing and rope and gasket packing materials used to seal pipe penetrations between building areas. The four most common types of insulation are blanket, block, loose-fill, and spray-on: Blanket Insulation — Usually either in the form of batts (pre-cut sections) or large rolls, blanket insulation generally looks like a big, cotton-like blanket. 5. . Vermiculite clays are weathered micas in which the potassium ions between the molecular sheets are. These requirements also apply to renovations and demolitions of multi-family buildings with more than four. Vermiculite insulation between attic joists . The only way to know the amount of asbestos in a material is to have it tested. If you disturb the insulation, you may inhale some asbestos fibers. Look at the photos on this website and then look at the insulation without. However, nearly 80% of the world’s vermiculite supply came from the asbestos-contaminated Libby, Montana mine. Also used for chimney flue lining. The EPA recommends that vermiculite insulation be left undisturbed. It comes in small pellets, such as those used for wood stoves. . Grace, was responsible for 80% of the world’s vermiculite, and vermiculite attic insulation could be purchased locally and installed. A. With time, asbestos sinks to the bottom of the insulation layer. ago. Based on just-released data from a study conducted 2 years ago in six Vermont homes with vermiculite insulation, EPA reports that “the asbestos content of the vermiculite was as high as 2. 4. Exfoliated Vermiculite is used in the friction brake linings market, high-temperature insulation, loft insulation, various construction products, animal feeds, horticulture and many other industrial applications. 30m2 to a depth of 100mm. Am I at risk? Should I take it out? If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this. VERMICULITE AND ASBESTOS 2. Look in your attic for loose-fill asbestos. Replacing wall insulation costs $1 to $5 per square foot. 70 ex VAT, Each. 20460> [1] Thanks to Gary Randolph, Ounce of Prevention Home Inspection, LLC Buffalo, NY, for attentive reading and editing suggestions. Vermiculite is a mineral used in a number of consumer products, including home insulation. It is installed by pouring it into the desired location. Next. Look in your attic for loose-fill asbestos. Vermiculite in its pure form is nontoxic. Known as Micafil, expanded vermiculite is a 100% natural material that can be used for void fill. Testing of vermiculite insulation for the presence of asbestos fibers can be performed by specialty laboratories, however testing can be very expensive and may give false results depending on the methods used. It contained minerals originating from the Libby Mine in Libby. Note: This method isn’t suitable if you’re adding Vermiculite insulation. S. nearly an inch long. 5–6. g. GRADES OF VERMICULITE 50 Nominal Particle Size (mm) Loose Bulk Density (Kg/m3) Applications Large Grade (Micafil) 3 – 15 70 Insulation, Concrete, Refractories, Packaging, Extra winter drainage, bulb culture and storage. Prior to its. Guide to using Micafil Vermiculite for Loft Insulation - Dupre Minerals. About 70 percent of the vermiculite used in attic and wall insulation originated from one mine in Montana. g. Also, it is a common material that is known to contain asbestos. Like other asbestos in the amphibole family, tremolite has sharp fibers that can easily be inhaled or ingested. Of concern is Zonolite, a product made from vermiculite which was used in many Canadian. Vermiculite is an insulating and fire-resistant mineral found in many homes built between 1930 and 1990. A benefit of vermiculite compared to other insulation substances is that it can be poured into small or difficult areas that other insulation cannot reach. £25. In its pure form, vermiculite is clean, odorless, nontoxic and sterile. S. See WHAT TO DO ABOUT VERMICULITE INSULATION. If asbestos is not in the air, it is not dangerous to your lungs. The ZAI Trust not only pays a majority of the cost to have asbestos containing attic vermiculite insulation removed, but it pays for a majority of the cost to have the attic professionally air sealed and re-insulated to R50. Used as kids bedrooms ever since. Asbestos is commonly used for insulation because it is flame-retardant, strong, and resistant to chemicals. The insulation was manufactured by heating vermiculite ore to between 800º and 1100º C, which causes an accordion-like unfolding and expansion into the lightweight granules that were used for insulation. Finally, a cowl is added to stop rain and bird egress causing issues. It was heat-treated to create fire-resistant ceiling and insulation panels. The most common asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation is zonolite. Vermiculite Insulation Containing Asbestos CCOHS. Asbestos is the name for a group of minerals that occur naturally in the ground. It can be a grayish-brown or a silvery-gold in color. According to NYS Industrial Code Rule 56, vermiculite is a suspect miscellaneous asbestos-containing material. More than 70% of vermiculite sold in the U. , closed in 1990, which had a natural deposit of asbestos. A few large, hard, green flakes can be easily seen, which in my experience can typically indicate positive for asbestos (I keep a tally of my guesses before I send the samples, I am currently 64/83, 77%. However, most of the country’s vermiculite was mined in Libby, Montana, in a mine that also had a natural deposit of asbestos. What is vermiculite? Vermiculite is a mineral that expands when rapidly heated. 6 g/cm3 and a refractoriness of 1500–1600°C was produced from expanded vermiculite, and a technology for producing ceramic vermiculite. I went to my local building supply looking for vermiculite to use as loose insulation over the ceramic fiber blanket I had wrapped around my oven. In general, vermiculite insulation is only dangerous when it is exposed. It flows into and expands in to all areas where potential heat loss may occur. Asbestosis is an inflammation leading. The one exception to this is vermiculite insulation, partially because there is money available to help homeowners with the costs of vermiculite insulation removal, and because the asbestos fibers in vermiculite can be released into the air just by looking at them wrong. Most plants are in pots for now, I repotted everything with 40-50% vermiculite/50-60% compost and everything is doing much better. These deposits contaminated the vermiculite, and then became transferred into people’s homes. Other constituent analysis are used to determine if the vermiculite is consistent with Zonolite. In its good years, the Libby mine accounted for more than 70% of. Vermiculite Void Fill Known as Micafil, expanded vermiculite is a 100% natural material that can be used for void fill. Since asbestos can be present even in vermiculite that floats, though, he grinds the vermiculite to a fine powder and examines it with an electron microscope. There are many types of insulation Asbestos or vermiculite insulation, including loose-fill, insulation wrappings for pipes and plumbing, Asbestos insulating board, spray-on insulation and more. Vermiculite Micafil Loft Insulation. Second, the vermiculite industry, which you use as half of your 'evidence,' is correct in saying 'vermiculite is not asbestos. Did you find what you were looking for? Ask a Question. during the 20th century was contaminated with. It can also be seen on ceilings, where it looks like a thick coating of cement. If you are removing Zonolite brand attic insulation from your home, the trust will cover up to 55% of the cost of removal. The mine operated from the 1920s up to the 1990s and was. The mined vermiculite ore contained amphibole asbestos. If your insulation feels firm and lays flat, you might have asbestos and should have your insulation replaced as soon as possible. 1998 became a member of the ABB group. This fill consists of thick flakes, making it ideal for containers of liquids where spillage and leaks may occur. Click & CollectAvailable for collection. co. The degree of damage asbestos may cause depends on the amount of asbestos inhaled and the duration of exposure. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U. Asbestos can be found in many forms. The short answer is that all research we've made to date indicates that Johns Manville Spintex® batt insulation was a rock wool or "mineral wool" foil faced insulating batt product. , Blanket insulation consisting Vermiculite insulation is a pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually gray-brown or silver-gold in color. In the 1920s, Zonolite began mining vermiculite in Libby, a city in Montana. Vermiculite insulation per 1991 main source was mined in Montana which contained asbestos. Asbestos ore is made up of long, thin fibers that can only be seen through a microscope. A member of the phyllosilicate group of minerals, it resembles mica in appearance. If removing vermiculite or sampling this. 2. While not all vermiculite produced before 1990 contains asbestos fibres, it is. Size: 100L Bag. Different sizes of vermiculite particles . It can also be used for a number of other things such as insulation in lofts or between floors base for gas coal fires and garden bedding and potting. and finds vermiculite in attic and laundry room. The Vermiculite is then poured in before the gap between the pot, and the liner is filled with a sand and. occurrences of asbestos in vermiculite deposits such as those in Montana that were closed some years ago • Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been exploited for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. Which is false. You might see it between joists in the attic and other areas. Vermiculite from Libby, Montana was used in the majority of vermiculite insulation in the U. However, that is not to say it cannot contain. I found a couple of paper bags in the attic today with the name Micafil. Nominal Particle Size Loose Bulk Density Large Grade (Micafil) 3 – 15 mm 70 Kg/m 3 Medium Grade 2 – 8 mm 85 Kg/m 3 Fine Grade 0. Another study found that, among houses with vermiculite attic insulation, only 26% had detectable levels of amphibole asbestos in their living spaces. Vermiculite and asbestos. This Dupre Vermiculite loose-fill insulation is a highly absorbent protector suitable for packaging, chimney lining, loft insulation and high-temperature insulation. Skip to content. ZONOLITE INSULATION; In the U. The goal of this study was to determine if in situ near-infrared reflectance measurements, using portable spectrometers, could be used to reliably identify the source of vermiculite ore and therefore its potential to contain asbestos. Doing a one-time removal job is not going to hurt you. He states that is deception and claims we knew about it. It is recommended that you do not disturb it; or use a certified professional if it needs to be disturbed or removed. Bulk sampling is reliable only when over 1% of the material is asbestos. Insulators also refer to it as “loose-fill” and “blown-in” insulation. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Asbestos exposure is only something you need to worry about if you're going to be doing it every day for a career. S. Any ideas? Vermiculite is a 2:1 clay, meaning it has two tetrahedral sheets for every one octahedral sheet. We've used the loft for years for storing toys, christmas stuff and general tat. The method developed can be used to determine vermiculite insulation's source and estimate its potential. 2 mm 0 – 20 Melting Point (°C) ~1330 % SiO 2 38. Bag Size:- 100 Litres. Contribute to dinglei2022/en development by creating an account on GitHub. Made from aluminium-iron-magnesium silicates, it is a natural mineral used for void filling. 5 cubic ft) bags of lightweight chips and it is a great alternative to polystyrene chips. and Canada and was sold under the brand name Zonolite ® or Zonolite ® Attic Insulation (ZAI). In 2014, a trust fund was established with $3 billion to compensate victims. Vermiculite is tested and found to contain asbestos. Keep in original packaging, in dry conditions and store in a way to prevent any accidental damage and creation of dust. Zonolite is a loose-fill insulation brand commonly used to insulate attics. Therefore, you must use safety gear before putting the insulation into bags. For years, Zonolite was used in the insulation of homes throughout the United. was sourced from a mine near Libby, Montana, which was later found to be contaminated with asbestos. Munn & Steele Vermiculite Insulation FAQs. As an area vulnerable to heat transfer, the attic is the place to find insulation material that may contain asbestos. S. Vermiculite insulation is probably not a large concern, but only as long as it stays undisturbed in the attic. 0% asbestos before expansion (Amandus et al. Vermiculite. Zonolite insulation, an American vermiculite tainted with a lethal form of asbestos known as tremolite, has already been linked to hundreds of deaths in the United States. Here are some signs to look for that indicate your loose-fill insulation may be contaminated with asbestos: Your house was constructed prior to 1990. Vermiculite Insulation. Vermiculite is a popular insulation material, but much of the vermiculite used in the U. 5m2. Lightweight packaging. Vermiculite Void Fill Packaging. Vermiculite Insulation. , Vermiculite Newark, NJ Mico Mineral Insulation Co. Although not all vermiculites are contaminated by asbestos, there is a big possibility of real danger if it is sourced from the mine in Libby, Montana. Lots of non-contaminated Vermiculite exists and is used as much in. S. Avoid creating dust by keeping vermiculite damp during use. Vermiculite insulation is easy to identify by visual inspection, as it is a granular, loose-fill pour-in insulation. This attic insulation was typically gray-brown or silver-gold in color. 1995. Vermiculite-asbestos insulation resembles rocky gravel. The mine was closed in 1990. What is vermiculite loose fill? Vermiculite is a 100% natural material that can be used for void fill. The reason it often contains asbestos is because most vermiculite insulation in the U. Asbestos fibres can be released into the air in homes when: Disturbing loose-fill vermiculite insulation which may contain asbestos. I have read that it is one of the brands that are ok. ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME - U. C $472. Only a trained technician using a microscope can see asbestos fibers. These products commonly contained 15% asbestos to 100% asbestos. Product Description. 2. Specifically designed for lithium-ion battery fires, AVDfire delivers superior performance to extinguish flames and minimise damage. Most of the nation’s vermiculite up until 1990 came from the vermiculite mine in Libby,. Recent findings about vermiculite ore contaminated with tremolite asbestos. Navy official photo of a Vanguard rocket. Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd. Airborne asbestos Last published: May 11,. Probably the most dangerous asbestos-containing material. Loose-fill asbestos insulation was popular for many decades, and houses that were insulated in the nineties. The three lung diseases closely associated with asbestos are:3. To date, no other vermiculite mines have been found to contain asbestos and periodic tests are done to make sure it stays that way. 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. For more information call us on +44 (0) 1782 383000. Micafil vermiculite lightweight insulation granules are an ideal thermal insulating material that can withstand temperatures in excess of 1000?c. Micafil Vermiculite is free flowing and easy to install, it is ideal for thermal and acoustic insulation in lofts, between floors, interior cavity walls and for pipe protection. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that when vermiculate is heated, it expands into worm-like. Vermiculite is a mineral that was once all the rage in building insulation. even more if vermiculite had fallen into wall spaces (e. Removal of vermiculite insulation can be costly and complicated; but in some cases, you may be able to leave the material in place with proper precautions. , pipe lagging, sprayed-on fireproofing) may be assumed to be less than 1% if the vermiculite constitutes less than 10% of the total material. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D. Moving the vermiculite will cause fibres to become airborne. Vermiculite insulation has a pebble-like appearance. When heated to a high temperature, flakes of vermiculite expand as much as 8-30 times their original size. It has been determined that vermiculite from this mine may contain asbestos. Nominal Particle Size Loose Bulk Density Large Grade (Micafil) 3 – 15 mm 70 Kg/m 3 Medium Grade 2 – 8 mm 85 Kg/m 3 Fine Grade 0. Description. It was processed at 245 sites around the country, and contaminated vermiculite products were distributed nationally [ATSDR 2001a]. g. The work site should be visually free of dust and debris. Is my family at risk of exposure to asbestos if we have vermiculite insulation? Asbestos causes cancer and other diseases. Only a trained technician using a microscope can see asbestos fibers. Although EPA does not. There is limited evidence that asbestos exposure. 88. Loft insulation is a quick and straightforward way to line interior spaces to protect against heat escaping in the winter months. beta 1316 glucan ~ Indeed just recently is being browsed by customers around us, probably among you. , Glass wool, batts, blankets,. Contact your local health department for more information. CARA has been formulated to work with Class A fire-resistant substrates and will not contribute to a fire…. As well as being rich in vermiculite. The majority of all vermiculite insulation pro-duced before 1990 used contaminated vermicu-lite from Libby. If your home was built before the 1990s and contains this texture and color. S. This means that most of the vermiculite found today is also. There will more than likely be asbestos in the attics, drywall. 7 reviews. The following photographs show typical vermiculite. Vermiculite Micafil with its free flowing properties of loose-fill, make it an excellent insulation for lofts. 3 Vermiculite insulation is made of small pebble-sized pieces. Vermiculite is a popular insulation material, but much of the vermiculite used in the U. However, nearly 80% of the world’s vermiculite supply came from the asbestos-contaminated Libby, Montana mine. Vermiculite insulation looks like pebbles and typically is grayish-brown or silvery-gold. com. Texture: Asbestos-containing insulation was typically heat. Hello! I found on the attic of my 1956 house a few bags from old insulation Micafil vermiculite. All products can be used to improve. Vermiculite Micafil Loose Fill Insulation 100ltr. 2. Spray-on insulation coatings made before 1990 usually contain a high percentage of asbestos. Vermiculite was mined in Libby between 1923 and 1990. I found a couple of paper bags in the attic today with the name Micafil. This fill consists of thick flakes, making it ideal for containers of liquids where spillage and leaks may occur. before 1990 contains amphibole asbestos fibres. diseases. Vermiculite was a common type of attic insulation that was sold from the late 1920s up until the EPA shut down the Zonolite vermiculite mine in Libby Montana in 1990. In case you do not know already, then Vermiculite Micafil is a great loose-fill thermal insulating material that is designed to reduce the loss of heat in cold weather. AVD Fire. Q & A. , 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Guide to using Micafil Vermiculite for Loft Insulation - Dupre Minerals. It can be poured between the joists of a loft, giving a strong layer of insulation. ”Loose Fill Insulation Could Contain Asbestos If: Your home was constructed prior to 1990. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine, so the vermiculite fromMicafil Vermiculite Model: Vermiculite Vermiculite is most commonly used for insulation and protection for solid flue liner pipe protection. It is very flexible and is often used in attics and walls or wrapped around pipes. Addison-Lynch, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. 800-723-3216. In May 2003, EPA released information indicating that vermiculite contaminated with traces, less than 1% asbestos, is of significant concern. Very happy with the product. See the information on Sampling and Testing for more information. Fortunately it will almost assuredly not be due to asbestos exposure. Very simple to install poured straight from the bag. When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time. Average artex asbestos removal cost (20m 2): £3,000. Some applications included ceiling tiles, soffit undersides, fireproofing in doors, and partition walls. This lightweight product creates a protective fill when placed into block core cavities. The mine became inactive in 1990, so vermiculite loose-fill. ) in homes. Loose-fill asbestos insulation is somewhat granular and fluffy in nature and it contains a very high percentage of asbestos. If the vermiculite in question even contained asbestos, abatement is too complicated for homeowners. Found vermiculite (asbestos) under attic floor boards on top. Light-weight loose fill insulation. Check the underside of your roof for a white or gray rough coating. So, to recap, vermiculite insulation was banned due to health concerns surrounding asbestos contamination. Vermiculite’s inner laminar layers allow it to expand up to 50% in volume which allows it to be highly aerated. , talc or vermiculite) that contain asbestos should also be regarded as ‘carcinogenic to humans’” (Straif et al. Vermiculite is a silver-gold to grey-brown mineral. However, due to limitations in the methods even trained technicians cannot. The Health Risks Of Vermiculite Containing Amphibole Asbestos Although the overall percentages of. As long as your attic is properly air sealed insulating over the top of the existing vermiculite insulation is perfectly fine. Some vermiculite insulation marketed between 1920 and 1990 may contain asbestos fibres. R. You’re probably wondering how asbestos crossed paths with vermiculite. These questions & answers about Mica-Fil, a Munn & Steele Vermiculite Insulation product and its asbestos content were posted originally at MUNN & STEEL & MICA-FIL VERMICULITE BUILDING INSULATION - be sure to see that article. Certain materials, including loor tiles and roof and siding shingles, are less likely to release ibers than pipe and boiler insulation if still inVermiculite has absolutely nothing in common with asbestos. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends that if you have vermiculite, it’s best to assume it contains asbestos and leave it alone.