Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mica-like mineral that has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like accordion shaped pieces when heated.
The treated vermiculite becomes a light-weight, fire-resistant, absorbent, and odourless material. These properties allow vermiculite to be used to make numerous products, including attic insulation. Vermiculite attic insulation is a pebble like poured in material and is usually light brown to gold in colour. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (course) pieces nearly an inch long. It is also common to find vermiculite as loose fill insulation in outside wall cavities including concrete block walls.
Vermiculite is also used in acoustic finishes, concrete mixes for swimming pools, agricultural and horticultural products, and in industrial products (i.e. brake shoes and pads, drilling mud, furnaces, and insulation blocks).
Vermiculite has been an established commercial commodity for well over 50 years, and is currently used throughout the world. Of concern is the vermiculite ore produced by the Libby Mine in Montana from the 1920's to 1990. During this period, the Libby Mine accounted for more than half the worldwide production of vermiculite.
Unfortunately, the vermiculite produced at the Libby Mine was found to be contaminated with asbestos and asbestos like fibers. Workplace exposure to these fibers caused a serious health problem with local miners and millers, as well as some downstream workers.
The type of asbestos contamination present is tremolite, a particularly hazardous form of asbestos and the concentration ranges from 0.3% to 7%.
Asbestos is a definite health hazard because the very tiny indestructible fibres float into your lungs and stay there, eventually causing cancer type growths.
Suggested Industrial Vacuums for Recovery of Vermiculite
PrestiVac HEPAPlus* Vacuums are specifically designed to safely vacuum toxic dusts. Equipped with a Certified Absolute HEPAPlus*filter with an efficiency of 99.995% on 0.2 micron so there is no risk of exposure or contamination for the operator or the environment. These vacuums are tested for absolute filtration. Testing Method: IEST RP-CC034.3. H14. MIL-STD 282 / A.S.T.M. - D2986-91. MPPS method EN 1822.
Which Industries are at Risk with Vermiculite?
