When heated to a high temperature flakes of vermiculite expand as much as 8 30 times their original size.
Vermiculite asbestos attic insulation.
This insulation was sold in canada under the name of zonolite and was extracted from the libby mine in montana usa.
One common brand was called zonolite.
Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne.
What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits.
The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos.
The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics.
You can also check for markings on the material or its packaging.
It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990.
However the vermiculite used in about 70 percent of the zonolite product came from the montana mine mentioned a moment ago.
It may have shiny flakes and or small accordion like pieces see photos above.
That s good news because most zonolite a type of vermiculite insulation falls into that category.
The epa says that vermiculite insulation which is the pebbly stuff found in attics of many older homes is only risky if it contains more than one percent asbestos.
Consider this statement from research titled zonolite attic insulation exposure studies where even the suggested method for removal by the manufacturer grace created a very unsafe condition.
Vermiculite in and of itself is not dangerous.
The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history.
However some vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibres which can cause problems if inhaled.
Of concern is zonolite attic insulation.
Vermiculite is utilized for attic insulation as well as other purposes.