Asbestos Contamination In Vermiculite
Asbestos contamination in vermiculite and vermiculite products has become
a national concern to a variety of federal agencies (EPA, OSHA, CPSC and
ATSDR) and to many private citizens throughout the country. A tremendous
amount of information has been made available to the public via print,
television/radio and the Internet. EPA's vermiculite pages provides
users with basic information about Vermiculite and its uses, factsheets,
Question and Answer documents, reports and links to EPA Regional vermiculite
pages. Other relevant information, not included here, may be available
from federal, state and local governments, industry, trade associations
and international sources.
Vermiculite
Insulation Meeting
Vermiculite
and Its Uses
Vermiculite Insulation Report
Garden
Product Report
Fact Sheets and Reports
EPA Regional Vermiculite
Links
Non-EPA Vermiculite Links
Vermiculite and
Its Uses
What is Vermiculite?
Vermiculite is the mineralogical name given
to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-ironsilicate which resembles mica
in appearance. All vermiculite ores contain a range of other minerals
that were formed along with the vermiculite in the rock. Vermiculite ores
from some sources have been found to contain asbestos minerals but asbestos
is not intrinsic to vermiculite and only a few ore bodies have been found
to contain more than tiny trace amounts.
Vermiculite mines are surface operations
where ore is separated from other minerals, and then screened or classified
into several basic particle sizes. Vermiculite is found in various parts
of the world. Locations of the predominant commercial mines are in Australia,
Brazil, China, Kenya, South Africa, USA and Zimbabwe.
When subjected to heat, vermiculite has
the unusual property of exfoliating or expanding into worm-like pieces
(the name vermiculite is derived from the Latin 'vermiculare' - to breed
worms). This characteristic of exfoliation, the basis for commercial use
of the mineral, is the result of the mechanical separation of the layers
by the rapid conversion of contained water to steam. The increase in bulk
volume of commercial grades is 8 to 12 times, but individual flakes may
exfoliate as many as 30 times. There is a color change during expansion
that is dependent upon the composition of the vermiculite and furnace
temperature.
How Is Vermiculite Used?
Vermiculite has been used in various industries for over 80 years.
It is used in the construction, agricultural, horticultural and industrial
markets.
Generic Applications -
| Loose Fill |
Carriers |
| Lightweight Aggregates |
Soil Conditioners |
| Asbestos Substitutions |
Density Modifiers |
| Absorbents |
Fire Protection |
| Industrial Heat Insulation |
|
Specific Applications -
CONSTRUCTION
| Acoustic Finishes |
Gypsum Plaster |
| Air Setting Binder Board |
Loft Insulation
|
| Fire Protection (internal/external) |
Sound Deadening Compounds |
| Floor and Roof Screed (lightweight insulating concrete) |
|
AGRICULTURAL
| Animal Feed |
Pesticides |
| Anti-caking Material |
Seed Encapsulant |
| Bulking Agent |
Soil Conditioner |
| Fertilizer |
|
HORTICULTURAL
| Blocking Mixes |
Seed Germination |
| Hydroponics |
Seedling Wedge Mix |
| Micro-propagation |
Sowing Composts |
| Potting Mixes |
Twin Scaling Bulbs |
| Root Cuttings |
|
INDUSTRIAL
| Absorbent Packing |
Insulation Blocks and Shapes |
| Brake Pads and Brake Shoes |
Insulation - High and Low Temperature |
| Castables |
Molten Metal Insulation |
| Dispersions |
Molded Products |
| Drilling Muds |
Nuclear Waste Disposal |
| Filtration |
Paints |
| Fireproof Safes |
Perfume Absorbent |
| Fixation of Hazardous Materials |
Sealants |
| Furnaces |
|
Vermiculite Insulation Report -
Final Draft - Pilot Study to Estimate
Asbestos Exposure from Vermiculite Attic Insulation - Research Conducted
in 2001 and 2002 [PDF] - EPA has recently completed a pilot
study to evaluate the level of asbestos in vermiculite attic insulation
(VAI) and whether there is a risk to homeowners. The study was designed
to: (1) obtain a rough estimate of the amount of asbestos in attics
with vermiculite attic insulation; and (2) obtain a rough estimate of
a person’s exposure to asbestos while performing common household
activities.
The figures and tables have been posted separately from the report in
order to help reduce download time. All figures and tables are in the
Adobe PDF format.
Figures [PDF] -
Tables [PDF]
-
EPA’s
Pilot Study to Estimate Asbestos Exposure from Vermiculite Attic Insulation
[PDF] - As of May, 2003
Current Best Practices for Vemiculite
Attic Insulation [PDF] - As of May, 2003
This publication is also available from the TSCA Hotline at 1-800-471-7127,
request EPA publication number 747-F-03-001
Current
Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation - As of May,
2003
Garden Product
Report
Sampling
and Analysis of Consumer Garden Products That Contain Vermiculite [PDF]
- The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and US EPA
Region 10 (Seattle, WA) conducted independent surveys of consumer garden
products containing vermiculite. OPPT and US EPA Region 10 are
jointly releasing the findings as a single report.
EPA Garden
Products Fact Sheet [PDF]
- August, 2000
EPA
Regional Vermiculite Links
EPA Region 1 - Q and A Regarding Vermiculite
Insulation
EPA
Region 8 - EPA Action in
Libby, MT
EPA
Region 10 - Vermiculite
Homepage
Non-EPA Vermiculite
Links - 
Global
Environmental and Technology Foundation (GETF) - Links to
GETF's report entitled - Asbestos Strategies - Lessons Learned About
Management and Use of Asbestos
|
