| |
| What is Vermiculite? |
| Vermiculite is a silver-gold to gray-brown mineral that is flat and shiny in its natural state and puffed and dull in its expanded shape. Vermiculite expands when heated. The process of heating the vermiculite to produce the “puffed” or “popped” material is called exfoliation. This process creates pockets of air making the material suitable for use as insulation or as a soil amendment. |
| |
| What is Asbestos? |
| Asbestos is made up of thin fibers that are strong and heat-resistant. This has led to its use in thousands of products such as building materials and heat-resistant fabrics. The fibers do not dissolve or breakdown in any way. They can remain airborne for quite some time, but eventually settle into soil, sediment or other materials (carpets, etc.) |
| Amphibole asbestos describes the mineral family that includes the asbestos found mixed with vermiculite ore from the Libby mine. Amphibole asbestos fibers are generally straighter and break apart more easily than other asbestos fibers. They also are generally believed to be more toxic than other types of asbestos. |
| Tremolite-Actinolite Series asbestos is of the amphibole family and is the type of asbestos of concern in the Libby vermiculite ore. It is a relatively uncommon form of asbestos which has no commercial use. Tremolite asbestos fibers are too small to be seen without a microscope. The tremolite material is mixed with the vermiculite ore from Libby. |
| |
| How is asbestos harmful? |
Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the primary cause of asbestos-related disease. These fibers are very small and sharp. If they are not expelled through coughing or mucus secretions, they become embedded in the lung. Inhaled asbestos is associated with three major diseases:
- Asbestosis. Asbestos causes scaring of lung tissue that eventually restricts one’s ability to inhale.
- Lung Cancer. Asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, especially in combination with exposure to tobacco smoke.
- Mesothelioma. Asbestos is thought to be the primary cause of this rare and deadly type of cancer of the lung lining and chest wall.
|
| |
| What if I’ve been exposed to Asbestos? |
| Remember: Not all persons exposed to asbestos will develop asbestos-related disease. |
Almost everyone has been exposed to asbestos to some degree. Air, water, food and many consumer products may contain small amounts of asbestos. Asbestos is released from natural deposits in the earth and as a result of deterioration of asbestos-containing products. Harmful effects generally result from continuous or frequent exposure to asbestos over a long period of time or from less frequent exposure to high concentrations of asbestos.
If you suspect that you have a significant exposure to asbestos, there are some things you should do:
- Stop on-going exposures
- Stop exposure to tobacco smoke
- Notify your doctor of the potential for asbestos exposure and get frequent health checkups.
- Get prompt medical attention for any respiratory illness to prevent infections that can attack weakened lungs.
Symptoms may not become apparent until long after exposure. If you suspect you have had a significant exposure to asbestos and have any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately:
- Shortness of breath
- A cough or change in cough pattern
- Blood in the fluid coughed up
- Pain in the chest or abdomen
- Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness
- Significant weight loss
|
| |
| What should I do if I believe I may have asbestos-containing vermiculite in my yard, garden or driveway? |
While not all vermiculite is contaminated, it is difficult to distinguish contaminated vermiculite with the naked eye; therefore, all vermiculite should be handled carefully.
If you believe it is possible that you may have vermiculite waste or ore in soils or driveways on your residential property, contact one of the following persons at EPA, tollfree 1-800-227-8917: Joyce Ackerman, On Scene Coordinator, x 6822; Pat Courtney, Community Involvement Coordinator, x 6631, Nancy Mueller; Community Involvement Coordinator, x 6602
Property owners can take the following precautions to minimize exposure:
- Minimize disturbance of the material.
- Outdoors, avoid digging in the soil where vermiculite may have been used and avoid driving, walking, parking or playing on any ore that may be on paths, driveways, etc.
- If vermiculite was placed on yards, residents may want to avoid mowing.
|
| |
I bought vermiculite at the garden store and placed it in my garden. Is my health threatened? |
| Not all vermiculite is contaminated. The Libby mine closed in 1990. The Region 8 vermiculite processing facilities were all closed by the late 1980s. If you recently purchased the vermiculite, it is very unlikely that it is asbestos-containing material. |
| |
| Is vermiculite insulation dangerous? |
| Prior to its close in 1990, much of the world’s supply of vermiculite came from the Libby mine. This mine’s vermiculite ore included a natural deposit of asbestos. Attic insulation produced using this vermiculite ore may contain asbestos fibers. Today vermiculite insulation comes from different mines and has low levels of contamination in the finished material. |
| |
| What if asbestos is in the insulation in the walls and attics of homes and other structures? |
If you believe that vermiculite insulation such as Zonolite was applied in your residence, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of exposure:
- Don’t disturb insulation.
- Don’t store boxes or other items in attics if retrieving them will disturb the insulation
- Seal cracks and openings in walls and ceilings
- Prevent access to vermiculite-filled attics or crawl spaces
- Postpone remodeling that might release vermiculite, like installing light fixtures in ceilings, adding openings to vermiculite-filled walls, or running pipes through vermiculite filled spaces. Arrange for a professional trained with managing this material to handle it.
- Carefully sweep (after wetting) any vermiculite that filters into living spaces.
- Consider purchasing HEPA vacuums or air filters.
More information on best practices for vermiculite attic insulation can be found on EPA’s web page: www.epa.gov/asbestos/ and on ATSDR’s web page http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/NEWS/vermiculite051603.html |
| |
| Why isn’t EPA going to remove vermiculite insulation and vermiculite in gardens? |
| The Superfund law precludes EPA from addressing consumer products, such as Zonolite insulation, used as they were intended even if they are toxic [NCP Section 300.5, definition of “facility”] In addition, the Superfund law does not allow a removal action for products that are part of the structure of, and result in exposure within, residential buildings or businesses or community structures unless there is a public health emergency [ NCP Section 300.400(b)(2)]. |
| |
| What should I be aware of if I decide to have the vermiculite insulation removed from my home? |
You should never attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire professionals trained and certified to safely remove the material.
There is more information on vermiculite consumer products on the following web pages:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/NEWS/vermiculite051603.html
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/insulation.html |
| |
| How can I locate a certified asbestos removal professional? |
Asbestos professionals are trained in handling asbestos material. A certified asbestos inspector will be able to take samples of your insulation, provide you with information on the results, and advise you on what additional tests or options you might consider. Inspectors can be found in the telephone directory Yellow Pages under “Asbestos Consulting and Testing” or “Asbestos Abatement.”
Some firms offer testing, assessment and abatement. A professional hired to assess the need for corrective action should not be connected with an asbestos-correction firm.
The federal government has training courses for asbestos professionals. Some state and local governments also have or require training or certification. Each person performing work in your home should provide you with proof of training and licensing in asbestos work. State and local health departments may have listings of licensed professionals in your area. |
| |
| Why haven’t former workers been notified of the risks they incurred while working at the facilities? |
| All of the exfoliation facilities in Region 8 declared bankruptcy or dissolved and many of the business owners are deceased, leaving EPA with few options to obtain lists of former employees. Where EPA had information, several employees were contacted. EPA will continue to attempt to locate former employees and their families |
