is vermiculite safe

Vermiculite produced by the Libby Mine has not been on the market in Canada for more than 10 years. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly cancer. The EPA defines an asbestos-containing material (ACM) as having greater than 1 percent asbestos. People have a problem with it because they don't understand how it works. All plants need good drainage, but certain vegetables will do better with really loose and aerated soil. Where to buy various grade sizes of loose vermiculite insulation for building not just wood fired ovens? Current EPA regulations ban products which contain 1% or more asbestos. Vermiculite is a light and airy rock that’s an important media in growing indoor and outdoor plants. For decades, W … Vermiculite itself is safe to use; there is no evidence that any acute or chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity exists from long-term exposure to vermiculite. Vermiculite is best used for water-loving plants that need their soil to stay moist at all times. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Is vermiculite safe for houseplants? This level represents a health risk if the asbestos is inhaled, with exposure to the fibers resulting in serious respiratory diseases. That means no asbestos abatement contractors get involved, and removal of the vermiculite insulation is done with essentially a giant vacuum. Today, most vermiculite is safe. This property was well known to people in the 19th century, although it was treated as a novelty rather than a potentially useful mineral until people realized its potential for things like insulation and concrete mixing. And according to the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust (see “The good news” below), the presence of vermiculite is tantamount to the presence of asbestos. If not, what's a good substitute? What is vermiculite and how to use it? The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust was established in 2014 to help homeowners with the cost of removing Zonolite Attic Insulation from their homes. 9 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active Inside During the Winter, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. But, as part of a major class-action lawsuit, a study determined that exposure to vermiculite with less than 1 percent asbestos is still a potential health hazard and the product should be considered an ACM. But breathing it constantly or in excessive concentrations can cause deposits to accumulate in respiratory passages, irritating them and making your cough. It’s often up to home inspectors to spot the difference between the vermiculite that contains asbestos and the kind that does not. Because vermiculite is soft, sterile, absorbent and free-flowing, it works well as a support and carrying medium for certain types of nutrients, including vitamin preparations, fat concentrations and molasses. Asbestos is a fibrogenic dust, which, if inhaled, can cause lasting damage to the lungs. Although testing of vermiculite mined in the U.S. is stringent, the examination of vermiculite in other countries is not always so rigorous. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! It is commonly used around the world in various forms, not just for gardening, without any negative human impact. Vermiculite has many uses, from insulation to swimming pools. However, that is not to say it cannot contain asbestos. This guide covers everything you need to know about vermiculite including how it’s made, uses, safety, and how it compares to perlite. You can have it tested for asbestos, but here’s the rub. Most of the risk today from vermiculite stems from insulation installed in houses while the Libby mine was in operation. Up to 85 percent of all vermiculite insulation in the U.S. came from a mine in Libby, Montana, sold under the name Zonolite. This association originates in a mine near Libby, Montana, which supplied over 70 percent of all vermiculite available in the U.S. from 1919 until the mine's closure in 1990. That’s misleading, as it seems to imply that the product is safe. It is sensitive to mechanical compression, which may pulverize particles. Nearly all vermiculite contains asbestos, which can cause lung cancer when inhaled. Vermiculate insulation is pebble like concrete, which is gold or light brown in color. The reason this can be said with confidence today is that it was not always the case. Here are other things you can’t just toss in the trash at home. Indeed, most vermiculite on the market today is very safe. It's humans who are at risk from exposure to the asbestos that's contained in some products made from vermiculite. Such a low silicate content makes it largely harmless to the lungs; if you breathe it, you won't suffer irreversible damage. If you use it wet it is fine. Add a healthy scoop of vermiculite to the potting soil of plants that like lots of water. The medium is considered safe for commercial and personal use. Here are other things you can’t just toss in the trash at home. If you happen to get vermiculite with residual dust, you should not use it for organic gardening as it will contain EPA regulated amount of asbestos, which is less than 1 percent and even this amount is still very hazardous to human health. While it’s true that undisturbed, encapsulated asbestos doesn’t pose a health risk, the asbestos in vermiculite insulation isn’t encapsulated and can easily become airborne during cleaning, maintenance or remodeling. She has published articles in "Pangaia Magazine" and eGuides at StyleCareer.com. According to its material safety data sheet (MSDS), uncontaminated vermiculite is only classified as a "nuisance dust." The color, composition, and pH of vermiculite vary from mine to mine. It's also a pH-neutral way to add calcium and magnesium. While vermiculite does not inherently contain asbestos, it has become popularly associated with the risk of asbestos inhalation to the point that some gardeners will not use it at all. Vermiculite doesn't pose a threat to plants. Even though vermiculite and perlite are safe for vegetables, that doesn’t mean they are necessary for them. However, to be safe and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is reasonable to assume that if your building has older vermiculite-based insulation, it may contain some amphibole asbestos. Vermiculite is found in market in different sizes. Most of the risk today from vermiculite stems from insulation installed in houses while the Libby mine was in operation. A nearby deposit of asbestos contaminated the product and cast suspicion over the entire vermiculite industry. Is it good to add vermiculite to the substrate? While pure vermiculite is relatively safe, there are a number of cases where vermiculite-based products were contaminated with asbestos during the extraction … All the health concerns related to vermiculite are related to the Libby Montana mine. Such a low silicate content makes it largely harmless to the lungs; if you breathe it, you won't suffer irreversible damage. Vermiculite has many uses, from insulation to swimming pools. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends that if you have vermiculite, it’s best to assume it contains asbestos and leave it alone. But, as part of a major class-action lawsuit, a study determined that exposure to vermiculite with less than 1 percent asbestos is still a potential health hazard and the product should be considered an ACM. To prevent dust getting in your eyes, wear protective goggles. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is perfectly safe when pure. -Ruth Allen, Snohomish, WA. Vermiculite is a fairly safe material to use, because as we mentioned earlier, this is a natural mineral. Not all vermiculite sold in Canada before 1990 contains asbestos fibres. All Rights Reserved. But some people might wonder if vermiculite is safe. Vermiculite has been used in building insulation, potting soil and fertilizer. All those mines were closed and now vermiculite is considered a safe growing substrate. If you use it dry it will wick the moisture out of everything...including a spider. Both perlite and vermiculite are safe, effective and easy to use for gardening. But some people might wonder if vermiculite is safe. Any health and safety problems that you may hear about are associated with one specific vermiculite deposit where naturally occurring asbestos minerals developed alongside the vermiculite. It might look harmless, but some vermiculite has a nasty personality. If your home was built before 1990, you might have vermiculite insulation in your walls or attic. Disposal of vermiculite is not hazardous to the environment. Vermiculite was mined in Libby, Montana, from the 1920s until the mine closed in 1990. Next, read: How to Improve Attic Ventilation. Sizes of vermiculite differ from large pieces to fine particles. If you want to be completely sure, purchase vermiculite that has been certified asbestos free. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! To reduce the amount of vermiculite you inhale, handle it in only in well-ventilated areas and wet it down as soon as possible. Vermiculite insulation granules. Unlike fibreglass insulation, it will not degrade over time, which can break down and cause health problems, and as it is also resistant to moisture, it will not be a breeding ground for mould and mildew, the spores from which can cause respiratory problems in those who … It is also a known carcinogen. If it’s found to contain less than 1 percent asbestos, it’s not considered an ACM. The material holds a lot of liquid while retaining characteristics that make it easy to handle, and it is safe for animals to ingest. Vermiculite has many uses, from insulation to swimming pools. This category, also known as "inert dust," contains less than 1 percent quartz. Previous mines have been contaminated with asbestos. Nuisance dust may also get in your eyes and cause irritation there. Contact an insulation contractor. As a result, it works well in the manufacture of animal feed. Root vegetables like carrot, radish, potatoes, beets, onion and garlic will all need the additional drainage. However, if you believe that your home may contain vermiculite insulation, it is reasonable to assume that it … You're probably familiar with this mica-like mineral as a potting mix additive: it breaks up the soil, providing better aeration, and it retains water and fertilizer. Some Vermiculite Is Safe For this reason, I recom­­mend having this work done by asbestos abatement professionals regardless of the test results. In Minne­sota, where I live, an insulation contractor’s first step is having the insulation tested for asbestos. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Washington and attended the professional SF/F workshop Viable Paradise. The trust reimburses homeowners for 55 percent of their removal and reinsulation costs, with a maximum payout per owner of $4,125. Your potting soil additive is probably safe. We recommend our users to update the browser. Vermiculite mines throughout the world are now regularly tested for it and are supposed to sell products that contain no asbestos. While vermiculite does not inherently contain asbestos, it has become popularly associated with the risk of asbestos inhalation to the point that some gardeners will not use it at all. 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