If you wish to have testing performed, only hire a qualified industrial hygiene firm that is independent of any abatement contractor firm and that can offer all the different testing and analytical methods. If removal of the vermiculite is necessary, be sure the material is safely handled or removed by a qualified asbestos removal contractor and ensure that 3 rd party testing is completed afterwards by a qualified industrial hygiene firm. It can be used by itself for germinating seeds, growing root cuttings, and for flower arrangements, or for wicking moisture away from stored bulbs or root crops.
When mixed with soil, peat, or compost, it helps to maintain moisture, provide anchorage for roots, eliminate packed down soil, and allow aeration. In , the EPA released results of an investigation into how much asbestos could be found in gardening products containing vermiculite. While they did find low levels of asbestos in some products, they concluded that consumers face only a minimal health risk from vermiculite in the home gardening setting.
They were more concerned about gardening products containing vermiculite in occupational settings. When handling vermiculite in a home gardening situation, the EPA recommends some ways to reduce risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers:.
In an occupational setting, vermiculite should be treated the same as any other suspected asbestos-containing material abiding by all OSHA, EPA and state requirements. At RPF Environmental, we have been dealing with asbestos every day since With the introduction of measures to improve workplace safety, it is anticipated that the trend in mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases will begin to decline over the next one to two decades.
Of the 45, homes evaluated for energy efficiency across Canada as part of Natural Resource Canada's EnerGuide for Houses Program from June 1, to March 22, , vermiculite insulation was observed in 1, or 3. Health Canada recently concluded national testing of horticultural gardening vermiculite products. This testing revealed mostly non-detected amounts of asbestos, with a few samples showing trace amounts of tremolite asbestos fibres. Based on these low levels, Health Canada has determined that the use of horticultural vermiculite, when used as directed by consumers, poses no additional risk of cancer.
If vermiculite-based insulation is contained and not exposed to the home or interior environment, it poses very little risk. If you know you have, or believe you may have, vermiculite-based insulation in your attic, the following precautionary steps are recommended:.
We strongly advise that homeowners confirm that the laboratory that they select is accredited for asbestos analysis and has had experience with vermiculite analysis since we have seen some erroneous analyses from laboratories which do not have experience in vermiculite analysis. The qualifications of the laboratory may also be important when the home is offered for sale. If the insulation in your attic is not being disturbed and your attic is not used for living space or storage, it is normally recommended to leave it in this state.
Clear guidance on this is available at the U. Environmental Protection Agency. More information can be obtained at Health Canada. Unfortunately if you own a home with ZAI, you may need to remove the insulation before you can sell your home.
A competent home inspection usually performed by the purchaser will normally detect vermiculite and we have seen many home sales fail due to its presence. Homeowners should consider upgrading the insulation and air tightness of their attic at this time to upgrade energy efficiency. The following precautions will prevent releasing asbestos fibres into the air:.
Add a badge to your website or intranet so your workers can quickly find answers to their health and safety questions. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. OSH Answers Fact Sheets Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion.
Search all fact sheets: Search. Type a word, a phrase, or ask a question. Asbestosis - Asbestosis is a lung disease that occurs when asbestos fibres are inhaled. It is a chronic disease with slow onset that usually requires several years of exposure. The development and progression of asbestosis varies from individual to individual. It is often slow with little changes over five, ten or more years. Many cases do not advance after diagnosis. It may, however, be quicker in some individuals than in others due to different conditions of past dust exposure.
Asbestosis is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis the formation of scar-like tissue.
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