Vermiculite has long been associated with asbestos, causing many homeowners and businesses to question the safety of this material. But, is this a myth? Does vermiculite contain asbestos?
What Is Vermiculite Insulation?
Firstly, vermiculite is a naturally-occurring, flaky mineral that expands when it is exposed to heat. Vermiculite was used as loose-fill insulation in the construction industry until the late 1980s, particularly for attic, wall, fireplace, heater, and tank insulation.
Vermiculite became popular around the 1950s, due to its fire-resistance, energy-efficiency, and insulating properties.
Is Asbestos Present in Vermiculite Insulation?
In terms of asbestos content, not all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos, but asbestos deposits can naturally occur alongside the material and contaminate it during the mining process. That’s why it’s vital to undertake specialist asbestos testing to confirm the presence of asbestos if you suspect your premises contain vermiculite.
Where Can Vermiculite Insulation Be Found?
- Attics – Vermiculite was regularly used as loose-fill insulation in the gaps and crevices of attics. It can also be found around water tanks.
- Walls – Vermiculite wall insulation was used to improve the energy efficiency of a building.
- Roofs – Sometimes, roof structures used vermiculite for added insulation and fire-resistance.
Is Vermiculite Insulation Dangerous?
The short answer is, yes. One of the main sources of vermiculite insulation during its prime was a mine located in Libby, Montana in the USA. The vermiculite in this mine became contaminated with two types of naturally-occurring asbestos called tremolite and actinolite.
Both tremolite and actinolite have sharp, needle-like amphibole fibres. Amphibole fibres are considered by some experts to be more dangerous than their serpentine counterpart. Tremolite could be found in paint, roof tiles, gardening products, etc. and actinolite was often used to strengthen cement, paint, plaster, and sealants.
What Are The Health Risks Associated With Vermiculite Insulation?
If your domestic, commercial, or industrial premises contain some form of vermiculite insulation, and was built before the year 2000, there is a chance asbestos could be present within the material.
If this asbestos is disturbed during installations, refurbishment, significant maintenance, or removal works, its fibres can be released into the air. If these fibres are inhaled, this can pose serious health risks, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, etc.
Hence, it is crucial you get in touch with our accredited asbestos surveyors in order to remain safe and compliant.
Why Choose Pillars Environmental?
Here at Pillars Environmental, we are proud to hold the SSIP (Acclaim) and Construction Line accreditations. As a team, we also have over 35 years of experience working across a multitude of sectors, including domestic, commercial, public, and industrial, among several others.
Alongside our asbestos surveys, we also offer Asbestos Management Plans, Asbestos Removal Management and Asbestos Re-Inspections, tailored to your building’s specific needs.
Explore our wide range of case studies here.
Get Your Free Asbestos Survey Quote Today
If you are the dutyholder of a residential, commercial, industrial or public sector building, and you suspect vermiculite insulation or asbestos might be present within your home or business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for a free, no-obligation quote today.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to discuss your enquiry with you over the phone on 01253 340 538, or via email on info@pillarsenv.co.uk. Alternatively, please fill in the contact form on our website and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible with a free, competitive quote in response to your enquiry.
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