Vermiculite In Attic Insulation

Came from the libby montana mines.

Vermiculite in attic insulation.

Founded in 1919 the zonolite company was acquired by w r. Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s. Grace company in 1963. Do not store belongings in the attic.

According to a 1985 estimate made by the environmental protection agency epa about 940 000 american homes were insulated with zonolite. The trust reimburses homeowners for 55 percent of their removal and reinsulation costs with a maximum payout per owner of 4 125. It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990. If work is planned that involves these areas for example installing potlights in a room below the attic send a sample of the vermiculite to a private lab.

The following photographs show typical vermiculite insulation. The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed. 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.

What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. Do not sweep it or vacuum it up. It is estimated that as much as 70 percent of the vermiculite containing insulation sold in the u s.

The answer to that question could lie in your attic. As a result the occupants and workers are at risk especially if the insulation is disturbed for any reason. Vermiculite insulation was sold in bags to builders and homeowners under the zonolite brand name. Avoid disturbing the material.

The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics. It was used primarily as attic insulation vermiculite was poured between attic joists and wall studs in areas where other types of thermal insulation would be difficult or impossible to install. If the attic or walls of a house contain vermiculite insulation leave it alone. Vermiculite insulation is a pebble like pour in product and is usually gray brown or silver gold in color.

Attic rewiring or heating and cooling inmstallations. The most popular vermiculite insulation in the united states was sold under the brand name zonolite by w r. Vermiculite is a very lightweight material which made it a popular choice for thermal insulation from the 1920s to the mid 80s. The zonolite attic insulation trust was established in 2014 to help homeowners with the cost of removing zonolite attic insulation from their homes.

So if you have vermiculite insulation look into this. Common reasons for disturbing attic vermiculite are. Installing recessed can lights or speakers. Most vermiculite attic insulation is zonolite brand insulation and contains asbestos.