EPA Says Soil a Prominent Source of Vermiculite Exposure
New data recently released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that soil is “a prominent source of exposure to vermiculite.” The report suggests that the EPA may have to re-examine its criteria to determine what constitutes “a clean site.”
According to an article in The Western News of Libby, Montana, the research came as a surprise to many experts because it suggests that dangers are mainly a result of exposure to outdoor soil around one’s house. Exposure from indoor activities, the study adds, probably comes from tracking outdoor vermiculite via animals or on shoes into the home.
The data does not apply to homes where asbestos is disturbed, or not well contained within the walls of the house, the EPA stresses.
“This is a powerful data set,” said Paul Peronard, On-Site Coordinator for EPA. “It will help us define the first part of endgame,” notably, how the agency decides that a site is properly cleaned.
The exposure investigation centered on four or five indoor and outdoor activities conducted in the town of Libby, which has been ravaged by the former presence of an asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mine owned and operated by W.R. Grace Co. The activities ranged from mowing the lawn to watching television. The EPA made sure to select a variety of sites, including those that were not treated for vermiculite contamination as well as post-remediated properties.
”Scenarios were played out by testers at these sites, with air filters located near their chests that collected dirt samples, recreating the breathing experience of typical activities,” the article points out.
An EPA spokesperson said this information will go far in determining how risk is assessed at various Libby sites.
