It is sometimes difficult not to overstate the danger of vermiculite, a gray-brown to a silver-gold mineral that was often used in making insulation. Vermiculite was a good choice for insulation since it doesn’t burn, giving it satisfactory fire retardant qualities. The fact that the material also expands to create air pockets when heated at a high temperature added to its allure in manufacturing insulation.
Vermiculite has been discontinued since the 90’s so homes built before this have a high possibility of containing vermiculite insulation. The real danger with this insulation is that most contain asbestos fibres; a toxic material that many homeowners are familiar with.
The connection between asbestos and vermiculite is largely due to the fact that the two minerals occur under very similar geological conditions and are often mined together. A great example is Zonolite Attic Insulation, a popular brand prior to 1990 that was proven to contain unsafe levels of asbestos fibres. The vermiculite used in the brand was mined from Libby Mine which also happened to have natural asbestos deposits thus contaminating the product.
Although it is not necessarily the case that all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos, this occurrence is common enough to warrant prudence and at least have your insulation tested for the toxic material. Attic Insulation Toronto does asbestos consulting and testing and can help you determine whether or not your insulation might be toxic. This is especially necessary for homes built before 1990.
Health Risks of Vermiculite Insulation Contaminated with Asbestos
The health risks associated with asbestos are well documented. These fibres are typically inhaled when disturbed and may lead to diseases including;
Mesothelioma: a cancer of the abdominal cavity or lining of the lung. Symptoms include a dry cough and shoulder and chest pains and may also include fever, weakness and weight loss as cancer progresses. The time it takes from exposure to when the disease is diagnosed may be anywhere from 10 to 40 years.
Asbestosis: a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. This disease is more common with prolonged exposure, usually over several years.
Lung Cancer: asbestos has also been linked to lung cancer. Lung cancer symptoms typically don’t develop until the advanced stages and include shortness of breath, chronic cough, chest pain and fever.
It may not be necessary to remove the vermiculite insulation immediately in some cases since these fibres are only airborne when disturbed. If the insulation is tucked away safely under floorboards or behind wallboards, you may wait until you need to make major renovations to remove it. The main danger with asbestos occurs when the material is disturbed.
Call Attic Insulation Toronto if you suspect you might have contaminated vermiculite insulation. In the meantime, keep everyone out of the attic and do not store anything until sure that there is no danger of contamination.
Hire Professionals to Remove Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation
Do not attempt to remove vermiculite insulation yourself even if you suspect that it might not be contaminated with asbestos. Hire Attic Insulation Toronto to remove and replace the insulation safely. We have experience working with toxic materials and creating negative pressure zones to protect the rest of your house from contaminated air. We also dispose of the toxic material properly according to the relevant laws and regulations.