Homeowners Face Asbestos Insulation Threat
Homeowners who are upgrading their insulation to help save money as energy costs rise need to watch out for the presence of asbestos-containing vermiculite in their attics, notes an article in The New York Times.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), millions of homes in America contain attic insulation made with vermiculite. However, not all vermiculite contains asbestos, the agency explains.
The homes most likely to contain asbestos-tainted insulation were insulated between the 1920s and the early 1980s, the article states. During that time, the majority of vermiculite used in insulation products came from the contaminated mine in Libby, Mont., the same mine that has caused the death of more than 200 individuals and sickened thousands in the small Montana town.
While homeowners can usually distinguish between vermiculite and other types of insulation, it’s more difficult to determine whether or not the vermiculite contains asbestos, notes Ed Cahill, national director of asbestos services for EMSL Analytical of Westmont, NJ.
And when a homeowner is uncertain, the best thing to do is test, Cahill notes. Several testing methods are available, the most popular being the Cincinnati Method, which involves placing a sample of the insulation in a large beaker of water, Cahill explains. The vermiculite floats and any material containing asbestos sinks to the bottom.
While it’s not necessary to call an abatement professional if asbestos-tainted vermiculite is to remain undisturbed, a licensed company should be called if the homeowner wants to replace it or add more insulation.
