Since most of the vermiculite used in canada was taken from the libby mine the odds are quite good that there is asbestos in the vermiculite in canadian attics.
Vermiculite in attic canada.
Of concern is vermiculite ore produced by the libby mine in montana from the 1920 s to 1990.
The mine was closed in 1990.
The libby mine supplied the majority of the world market in vermiculite based insulation.
The good news is that we don t live in our attics.
In order to be eligible for reimbursement a claimant must be able to show.
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.
As long as this kind of vermiculite based insulation remains undisturbed behind intact walls or in attic spaces and does not become airborne it should not be a concern.
If an attic is insulated with a thin layer of vermiculite a layer that provides less than the minimum r value required by code it s hard to come up with a good way to improve the insulation layer especially if the ceiling has air leaks.
The zonolite attic insulation trust zai trust was created to help educate the public about the possible health effects of asbestos containing vermiculite and to provide partial reimbursement for zai removal to qualified claimants.
According to the health canada advisory vermiculite insulation containing amphibole asbestos the best way to minimize your risk of asbestos exposure is to avoid disturbing vermiculite based insulation.
It was incorporated into home insulation products branded zonolite attic insulation in.
Of concern is zonolite attic insulation.
That s why it s so much better to have an attic with no insulation at all than it is to have an attic with 8 inches of vermiculite.
Vermiculite removal and decontamination in the attic roof space loft walls and basement sub floors must be performed when there is presence of contamination.
That s good news because most zonolite a type of vermiculite insulation falls into that category.
Vermiculite from the libby mine may contain asbestos.
It s fire resistant and has strong insulation properties.
This insulation was sold in canada under the name of zonolite and was extracted from the libby mine in montana usa.
Previously sold under the name zonolite this material was widely used as thermal insulation in roof spaces loft particularly since consumers could install it themselves.
Extracted from the mine between 1920 and 1990 this vermiculite insulation was sold in large bags mainly but not exclusively under the trademark zonolite attic insulation.
As well as being rich in vermiculite this mine had the misfortune of having a deposit of tremolite a type of asbestos.
It was sold as zonolite attic insulation and possibly other brands in canada during that time.
Vermiculite was once touted as a miracle mineral.
That vermiculite is the zonolite brand.
