Vermiculite Insulation Testing For Asbestos

The vermiculite from libby is part of the longest man made environmental disaster in american history.

Vermiculite insulation testing for asbestos.

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. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral compound that expands when heated. In a breakthrough study the u s. If asbestos is found then the proper procedures can be implemented to keep you and your family safe from exposure.

There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine so the vermiculite from libby was contaminated with asbestos. What made the libby vermiculite so dangerous was its proximity to asbestos deposits. Lcs laboratory inc offers fast and affordable testing of vermiculite for asbestos impurities. The insulation which was known by the brand name zonolite is most often found in residential attics.

This vermiculite test kit is designed to test your vermiculite attic insulation for asbestos. Approximately 1 million homes in the united states contain vermiculite attic insulation that puts families at risk of exposure to asbestos the only. It was mined there for more than 50 years ending in 1990. 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.

Vermiculite is a man made product that is made by heating mica like mineral to 600 ºc. The test is commonly used by home buyers sellers home inspectors and safety consultants to check that vermiculite insulation is safe. A member of the phyllosilicate group of minerals it resembles mica in appearance.