What is vermiculite insulation? • You should never attempt to remove the It is an insulation product that contains a mineral insulation yourself. Hire professionals to called vermiculite that in the past came from a safely remove the material. mine in Libby, Montana. Today, vermiculite is -DRAFT- mined at three U.S. facilities and in other countries. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that has What if I occasionally have to go the unusual property of expanding into worm-like accordion shaped pieces when heated. The into my attic? expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire- EPA and ATSDR strongly recommend that resistant, absorbent, and odorless material. These homeowners make every effort not to disturb properties allow vermiculite to be used to make vermiculite insulation in their attics. If you numerous products, including attic insulation. occasionally have to go into your attic, current best practices state you should: Do I have vermiculite insulation? 1. Make every effort to stay on the floored Vermiculite can be purchased in various forms for part of your attic and two not disturb the various uses. Sizes of vermiculite products range insulation. from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces 2. If you must perform activities that may nearly an inch long. Vermiculite attic insulation is a What should I do if I have disturb the attic insulation such as moving pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually light- vermiculite attic insulation? boxes (or other materials), do so as gently brown or gold in color. The pictures in the center DO NOT DISTURB IT. Any disturbance has the as possible to minimize the disturbance. of this pamphlet and on the cover show several potential to release asbestos fibers into the air. 3. Leave the attic immediately after the samples of vermiculite attic insulation. Limiting the number of trips you make to your attic disturbance. and shortening the length of those trips can help 4. If you need work done in your attic such as Is vermiculite insulation a problem? limit your potential exposure. the installation of ceiling fans in rooms Prior to 1990, much of the world’s supply of below or cable or utility lines, hire vermiculite came from a mine near Libby, Montana. EPA and ATSDR strongly recommend that: professionals who can safely do the work. The Libby mine also had a natural deposit of 5. It is possible that vermiculite attic insulation asbestos, and the vermiculite from Libby is • Vermiculite insulation be left undisturbed can sift through cracks in the ceiling, contaminated with asbestos. Attic insulation in your attic. Until bulk analytical methods around light fixtures, or around ceiling fans. produced using vermiculite ore, particularly ore that are improved to more accurately determine You can prevent this by sealing the cracks originated from the Libby mine, may contain if vermiculite contains asbestos, and what and holes that insulation could pass asbestos fibers. that means in terms of risk, it is best to through. assume that the material may contain 6. Common dust masks are not effective How does asbestos cause health asbestos. against asbestos fibers. For information problems? • You should not store boxes or other items on the requirements for wearing a in your attic if retrieving the material will respirator mask, visit the following OSHA Asbestos can cause health problems when disturb the insulation. website: inhaled into the lungs. If products containing • Children should never be allowed to play in http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/ asbestos are disturbed, thin, lightweight asbestos an attic with open areas of vermiculite respiratoryprotection/index.html fibers are released into the air. Persons breathing insulation. the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued • If you plan to remodel or conduct exposure increases the amount of fibers that renovations that would disturb the What are the next steps? remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue vermiculite, hire professionals trained to The guidance provided in this brochure reflects the over time may result in lung diseases such as handle asbestos to safely remove the current testing technology and knowledge of asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. material. precautions one may take regarding vermiculite Smoking increases your risk of developing illness attic insulation. EPA is initiating further studies on from asbestos exposure. vermiculite attic insulation and pursuing other asbestos related issues. Additional information will information on the benefits of testing as new Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) be provided to the public via the EPA and ATSDR sampling techniques are developed that produce http://www.cpsc.gov websites and through additional outreach materials more definitive and accurate test results. as it becomes available. Mineralogy United States Geological Survey (USGS) http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/

Is my health at risk from previous exposures to the asbestos in the What if I have had work-related insulation? exposure to vermiculite?

If you removed or disturbed the insulation, it is Workers who have had significant past exposure, possible that you inhaled some asbestos fibers. or have significant ongoing exposure to asbestos, Also the disturbance may have resulted in the to vermiculite from Libby, or to other asbestos- fibers being deposited into other areas of the contaminated materials should consider getting a home. Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of medical exam from a physician who knows developing lung disease. That risk is made worse about diseases caused by asbestos. For more by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to information and to obtain a fact sheet concerning asbestos, the greater the chance of developing occupational exposure to vermiculite, contact the harmful health effects. Disease symptoms may National Institute for Occupational Safety and take several years to develop following exposure. If Health (NIOSH) at: 1-800-35-NIOSH, or you are concerned about possible exposure, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hompage.htm consult a physician who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist). Where can I get more information? Where can I get information on Additional information on vermiculite or asbestos is available from the following sources: testing or removal of the insulation? EPA and ATSDR strongly recommend using a General Information trained and certified professional to conduct EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance removal work. Removing the insulation yourself Information Service: Asbestos Line: 1-800-471-7127 could potentially spread asbestos fibers throughout your home, putting you and your family at risk of EPA Asbestos Ombudsman possibly inhaling these fibers. 1-800-368-5888

For certified asbestos removal professionals in EPA's Asbestos Home Page: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/ your area, refer to your local Yellow Pages. Your State Environmental Agency can confirm that the Health Information company’s credentials are current. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry You can find your State Agency at: (ATSDR): http://www.epa.gov/epahome/whereyoulive.htm http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

Currently, there are special issues involving Worker Safety vermiculite sampling that can complicate testing for Occupational Safety and Health Administration the presence of asbestos fibers. EPA and ATSDR (OSHA) http://www.osha.gov National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are not recommending at this time that (NIOSH) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hompage.htm homeowners have vermiculite materials tested for asbestos or have home air sampling conducted. Consumer Products EPA and ATSDR will seek to provide further Insulation

United States Agency for Toxic Environmental Protection Substances and Agency Disease Registry

Current Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic

EPA 747-F-03-001 May 2003 -DRAFT-