Vermiculite Insulation Testing For Asbestos

Approximately 1 million homes in the united states contain vermiculite attic insulation that puts families at risk of exposure to asbestos the only.

Vermiculite insulation testing for asbestos.

This vermiculite test kit is designed to test your vermiculite attic insulation for asbestos. The test is commonly used by home buyers sellers home inspectors and safety consultants to check that vermiculite insulation is safe. Concerns about asbestos contaminated vermiculite insulation a mine near libby montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the united states from 1919 to 1990. What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits.

A member of the phyllosilicate group of minerals it resembles mica in appearance. The only way to know for sure if vermiculite insulation in your home contains asbestos is to have it tested. The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. Vermiculite is a man made product that is made by heating mica like mineral to 600 ºc.

There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine so the vermiculite from libby was contaminated with asbestos. Geological survey usgs found a way to test for trace levels of asbestos in vermiculite insulation on site which marks a promising development in public health. Recent findings about vermiculite ore contaminated with tremolite asbestos. In its pure form vermiculite is clean odorless nontoxic and sterile.

If asbestos is found then the proper procedures can be implemented to keep you and your family safe from exposure. The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics. It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990.