Vermiculite In Attic Insulation

According to a 1985 estimate made by the environmental protection agency epa about 940 000 american homes were insulated with zonolite.

Vermiculite in attic insulation. Most vermiculite attic insulation is zonolite brand insulation and contains asbestos. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. Attic rewiring or heating and cooling inmstallations. It is estimated that as much as 70 percent of the vermiculite containing insulation sold in the u s.

As a result the occupants and workers are at risk especially if the insulation is disturbed for any reason. Came from the libby montana mines. Installing recessed can lights or speakers. Grace company in 1963.

It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990. Do not store belongings in the attic. What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits. The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics.

The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. The following photographs show typical vermiculite insulation. Founded in 1919 the zonolite company was acquired by w r. Identifying insulation that is made from vermiculite.

Common reasons for disturbing attic vermiculite are. Vermiculite insulation was sold in bags to builders and homeowners under the zonolite brand name. Do not sweep it or vacuum it up. The trust reimburses homeowners for 55 percent of their removal and reinsulation costs with a maximum payout per owner of 4 125.

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. That s good news because most zonolite a type of vermiculite insulation falls into that category. The zonolite attic insulation trust was established in 2014 to help homeowners with the cost of removing zonolite attic insulation from their homes. Vermiculite insulation is a pebble like pour in product and is usually gray brown or silver gold in color.

Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed. The answer to that question could lie in your attic. Vermiculite is a very lightweight material which made it a popular choice for thermal insulation from the 1920s to the mid 80s. If the attic or walls of a house contain vermiculite insulation leave it alone.

Avoid disturbing the material. So if you have vermiculite insulation look into this. The most popular vermiculite insulation in the united states was sold under the brand name zonolite by w r. Look at the photos on this website and then look at the insulation without disturbing it.