Found in residential homes vermiculite insulation was a popular material in the 1950’s, and continued with the energy crisis into the late 1970’s.
Per Carson Dunlop Home Inspection the following is stated.
The majority of the vermiculite used worldwide was from a mine in Libby, Montana, owned and operated since 1963 by W.R. Grace. The mine was closed in 1990. As well as being rich in vermiculite, this mine had the misfortune of having a deposit of tremolite, a type of asbestos. When the vermiculite was extracted, some tremolite came in with the mix.
For Canadian use, the raw product from the Libby mine was shipped to Grace subsidiary F. Hyde processing plants in Montreal, St. Thomas, Ajax and Toronto, and Grant Industries in western Canada. At these plants, it was processed and sold as Zonolite.
Asbestos minerals tend to separate into microscopic particles that become airborne and are easily inhaled. People exposed to asbestos in the workplace have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer. Workers in and around the Libby mine developed serious health problems.
Like any hazards, length and intensity of exposure are major factors in the risk of asbestos-related respiratory illness. To assess the risk of asbestos exposure at a house, a sample of the vermiculite would need to be analyzed by a lab. Since most of the vermiculite used in Canada was taken from the Libby mine, the odds are quite good that there is asbestos in the vermiculite in Canadian attics.
The good news is that we don’t live in our attics. In addition, as long as it is undisturbed, neither the asbestos fibers bound up in the vermiculite chunks nor the dust will be released into the air. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the U.S., “Most people who get asbestos-related diseases have been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time.” Lastly, most of the time the air in your house flows from the house into the attic, rather than into the house from the attic.
The bottom line is, like most household products that may contain asbestos, and there are many, doing nothing is often the best approach. Naturally, the risk of exposure increases with the amount of time spent in the attic.
If the attic or walls of a house contain vermiculite insulation, leave it alone. Avoid disturbing the material. Do not sweep it or vacuum it up. Do not store belongings in the attic.
If work is planned that involves these areas, for example installing potlights in a room below the attic, send a sample of the vermiculite to a private lab. Send several samples, and use a lab specializing in asbestos analysis. If it is found to contain asbestos, or if you just assume it does, precautions should be taken. The safest approach would be to have the insulation in the affected areas removed by a qualified environmental contractor.
For smaller jobs it may be sufficient to isolate work areas with temporary barriers or enclosures to avoid spreading fibers, use disposable protective clothing, and use proper respiratory protection. An important note – disposable respirators or dust masks are not appropriate for asbestos. Again, it is best to consult a qualified contractor.”
Replacing Attic Insulation Common Questions
W.R. Grace’s plan of reorganization became final on February 3, 2014. Consequently, W.R. Grace has now funded the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust from which eligible Claimants will be reimbursed for their legitimate ZAI Property Damage Claims (“ZAI PD”). Under the settlement, Grace will fund an Independent Trust and Claims Facility (“the Trust”) that will operate for a minimum of 20 years paying claims and educating the public about the potential health effects associated with asbestos containing vermiculite/ZAI.
In order to be eligible for reimbursement a claimant must be able to show:
That vermiculite is the Zonolite Brand. This is called the Product Identification (PID) requirement
AND
How much was paid to have the vermiculite removed or contained. This is called the Expense Requirement.
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Fully Licensed and Insured
| Model | Total Rebates | Program Name |
|---|---|---|
|
FLEXX24HP230V1AH |
$1,300 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $1,000 Federal Tax Credit - Air Source Heat Pump - $300 |
|
FLEXX36HP230V1AH |
$1,000 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $1,000 |
|
FLEXX36HP230V1AO |
$1,000 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $1,000 |
|
FLEXX48HP230V1AH |
$1,000 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $1,000 |
|
FLEXX24HP230V1BH |
$800 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $800 |
|
FLEXX36AC230V1AO |
$800 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $800 |
|
FLEXX36HP230V1BH |
$800 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $800 |
|
FLEXX48HP230V1BH |
$800 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $800 |
|
FLEXX60HP230V1BH |
$800 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $800 |
|
FLEXX60AC230V1AO |
$800 |
BayREN Home Plus Program - $800 |
