ATSDR - Asbestos in some insulation and garden products, potential hazards

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT
ATSDR publishes brochure outlining potential hazards of asbestos in some insulation and garden products

For Immediate Release: May 21, 2003

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published a brochure which identifies potential health hazards posed by asbestos in certain building insulation products.

The brochure, provides information on how to identify these products and steps individuals can take to reduce exposure. Asbestos can cause health problems when it is breathed into the lungs.

The products in question contain vermiculite, a naturally occurring mineral used to produce attic insulation products and some garden potting soils. Much of the world's supply of vermiculate came from a now defunct mine near Libby, Mont. The Libby mine also had a natural deposit of asbestos, and the vermiculite from Libby is contaminated with asbestos.

The EPA is conducting a public information campaign to raise awareness of the potential hazards of asbestos in insulation products.

ATSDR has additional information about vermiculite insulation and vermiculite used in garden soil products in its brochure.

To view the ATSDR brochure click here.

To view the Joint EPA/ATSDR brochure click here.

Members of the news media may request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling Elaine McEachern or Petro Kacur in the ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs at 404-498-0070.

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This page updated June 5, 2003
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
1-888-422-8737 or e-mail: atsdric@cdc.gov (public inquiries)
404-498-0080 or e-mail: atsdrmediainquires@cdc.gov (news media)