Vermiculite In Attic Insulation

It was used primarily as attic insulation vermiculite was poured between attic joists and wall studs in areas where other types of thermal insulation would be difficult or impossible to install.

Vermiculite in attic insulation.

Most vermiculite attic insulation is zonolite brand insulation and contains asbestos. Vermiculite insulation was sold in bags to builders and homeowners under the zonolite brand name. Founded in 1919 the zonolite company was acquired by w r. It is estimated that as much as 70 percent of the vermiculite containing insulation sold in the u s.

According to a 1985 estimate made by the environmental protection agency epa about 940 000 american homes were insulated with zonolite. The following photographs show typical vermiculite insulation. If the attic or walls of a house contain vermiculite insulation leave it alone. Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s.

Attic rewiring or heating and cooling inmstallations. The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. The zonolite attic insulation trust was established in 2014 to help homeowners with the cost of removing zonolite attic insulation from their homes.

The most popular vermiculite insulation in the united states was sold under the brand name zonolite by w r. The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics. Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed. If work is planned that involves these areas for example installing potlights in a room below the attic send a sample of the vermiculite to a private lab.

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. Installing recessed can lights or speakers. Common reasons for disturbing attic vermiculite are. Do not sweep it or vacuum it up.

So if you have vermiculite insulation look into this. Came from the libby montana mines. It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990. Avoid disturbing the material.

Identifying insulation that is made from vermiculite. Vermiculite is a very lightweight material which made it a popular choice for thermal insulation from the 1920s to the mid 80s. Grace company in 1963. The trust reimburses homeowners for 55 percent of their removal and reinsulation costs with a maximum payout per owner of 4 125.

Look at the photos on this website and then look at the insulation without disturbing it. What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits. As a result the occupants and workers are at risk especially if the insulation is disturbed for any reason. Do not store belongings in the attic.