Vermiculite Insulation Testing For Asbestos

In a breakthrough study the u s.

Vermiculite insulation testing for asbestos.

Concerns about asbestos contaminated vermiculite insulation a mine near libby montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the united states from 1919 to 1990. The test is commonly used by home buyers sellers home inspectors and safety consultants to check that vermiculite insulation is safe. Vermiculite is a man made product that is made by heating mica like mineral to 600 ºc. The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history.

A member of the phyllosilicate group of minerals it resembles mica in appearance. The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics. The only way to know for sure if vermiculite insulation in your home contains asbestos is to have it tested. Recent findings about vermiculite ore contaminated with tremolite asbestos.

There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine so the vermiculite from libby was contaminated with asbestos. This vermiculite test kit is designed to test your vermiculite attic insulation for asbestos. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral compound that expands when heated. Lcs laboratory inc offers fast and affordable testing of vermiculite for asbestos impurities.

If asbestos is found then the proper procedures can be implemented to keep you and your family safe from exposure. Geological survey usgs found a way to test for trace levels of asbestos in vermiculite insulation on site which marks a promising development in public health. What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits.