Is Vermiculite Hazardous?
More and more, discussions about asbestos these days seem to include a discussion of vermiculite. So, is vermiculite hazardous to your health?
Vermiculite is often referred to as asbestos light. This is accurate in many ways. The material carries many of the traits that we see with asbestos. This includes the innate, natural ability to be very heat and fire resistant. That makes the material very valuable in markets like construction, oil, and manufacturing.
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Is vermiculite hazardous? No. It is simply a material that comes out of the ground in the form of small flakes. There are no hazardous fibers as is found with asbestos. There is no resulting cancer in the form of Pleural, Peritoneal or any other form of Mesothelioma. Given all this, why is vermiculite being mentioned continually in discussions about hazardous materials? Location, location, location.
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring substance. It is mined and taken out of the ground just like coal, copper and what have you. There is nothing inherently wrong with this nor hazardous. Unfortunately, the issue at hand is the specific mine that over 70 percent of vermiculite was take out of between 1919 through 1970. That mine is known as the Libby mine and has a torrid reputation.
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The Libby mine is located outside the town of Libby, Montana. Massive amounts of vermiculite was taken out of the mine for over 50 years. The problem is massive amounts of asbestos were taken out during the same period. Yes, that Libby mine! Subsequent studies of the vermiculate used in homes has shown most of it is rife with asbestos.
Is vermiculite hazardous to your health? Not by itself. Unfortunately, most vermiculite used in homes and buildings from 1919 through 1970 contains asbestos, which is extremely hazardous to your health.