What if I occasionally need to go in my attic?

EPA and Health Canada can’t help but recommend that homeowners make every effort never to disturb vermiculite insulation inside their attics. If you occasionally need to into your attic, current tips state you need to:

  • Make every effort to remain on the floored a part of your attic and also to not disturb the insulation.
  • If you will need to perform activities that could disturb the attic insulation for example moving boxes (or another materials), do this as gently as is possible to minimize the disturbance.
  • Leave the attic soon after the disturbance.
  • If you may need work carried out in your attic for instance the installing cable or utility lines, hire trained and certified pros who can safely perform the work.
  • It can be done that vermiculite attic insulation can search through cracks from the ceiling, around lamps, or around ceiling fans. You can prevent this by sealing the cracks and holes that insulation could go through.
  • Common dust masks are not effective against asbestos fibres.

What will be the next steps?

 

The guidance provided in this particular brochure reflects the present testing technology and knowledge of precautions it’s possible to take regarding vermiculite attic insulation. EPA is initiating further studies on vermiculite attic insulation and pursuing other asbestos related issues. Additional information is going to be provided to people via the EPA and Health Canada websites and through additional outreach materials since it becomes available.

Is my health vulnerable from previous exposures for the asbestos from the insulation?

If you removed or disturbed the insulation, it is quite possible that you inhaled some asbestos fibres. Also the disturbance could have resulted inside fibres being deposited into other places of the home. Exposure to asbestos increases your probability of developing lung disease. That risk is manufactured worse by smoking. In general, greater the contact asbestos, greater the chance of developing harmful health effects. Disease symptoms could take several years to produce following exposure. If you are interested in possible exposure, consult doctor who specialises in lung diseases (pulmonologist).

 

Where can I get info on testing or eliminating the insulation?

 

EPA and Health Canada highly recommend using a trained and certified professional to conduct removal work. Removing the insulation yourself may spread asbestos fibres throughout your property, putting you and your family vulnerable of inhaling these fibres. For certified asbestos removal professionals locally, reference your local Yellow Pages. Your State Environmental Agency will tell you that the company’s credentials are current. Currently, a number of technical issues involving vermiculite sampling that may complicate testing with the presence of asbestos fibres and interpreting the chance from exposure. EPA and Health Canada are recommending presently that homeowners have vermiculite attic insulation tested for asbestos. As testing techniques are refined, EPA and Health Canada provides information to your public for the benefits of testing that produce more definitive and accurate test results.

The perils of vermiculite insulation a wide range of, particularly asbestos impregnated vermiculite insulation. Vermiculite can be a naturally occurring mineral which has the unusual property of expanding into fish-hook shapes or worm-like accordion shaped pieces when heated. The expanded vermiculite is often a light-weight, fire resistant, absorbent, and odorless material. These properties allow vermiculite to use to make numerous products, including attic insulation.

Do I have vermiculite insulation?

Vermiculite comes in various forms for a number of uses. Sizes of vermiculite products consist of very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long. Vermiculite attic insulation is usually a pebble-like, pour-in product and it is usually lightbrown or gold in color. In Canada the vermiculite that’s been contaminated with asbestos was sold in the brand name Zonolite.

Is vermiculite insulation a difficulty?

Prior to its close in 1990, high of the world’s method of getting vermiculite got their start in a mine near Libby, Montana. This mine experienced a natural deposit of asbestos which resulted inside vermiculite being contaminated with asbestos. Attic insulation produced using vermiculite ore, particularly ore that came from the Libby mine, could have asbestos fibers.

How does asbestos cause health issues?

Asbestos can cause health issues when inhaled into your lungs. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, thin, lightweight asbestos fibres are released to the air. Persons breathing mid-air may suck in asbestos fibres. Continued exposure enhances the amount of fibres that remain from the lung. Fibres baked into lung tissue as time passes may result in lung diseases including asbestosis, united states, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases your chance of developing illness from asbestos exposure.

What should I do if I have vermiculite attic insulation?

DO NOT DISTURB IT AND ARRANGE TO HAVE IT REMOVED BY A CERTIFIED FIRM WITH EXPERIENCE IN REMOVING ASBESTOS AS MAPLE LEAF MOLD REMOVAL IS. Do not attempt to clear out it yourself each and every disturbance gets the potential to release asbestos fibers into your air. Limiting the quantity of trips you’re making to your attic and shortening the capacity of those trips can assist limit your potential exposure. EPA and Health Canada strongly suggest that:

  • Vermiculite insulation really should be removed from your attic safely. Due for the uncertainties with existing testing techniques, it’s always best to assume the material might have asbestos.
  • You ought not store boxes or another items in your attic if retrieving the pad will disturb the insulation.
  • Children should never be capable to play within an attic with open aspects of vermiculite insulation.
  • If you propose to remodel or conduct renovations that could disturb the vermiculite, work with a professional asbestos removal firm like Maple Leaf Mold who will be professionals trained and certified to deal with asbestos to securely remove the pad.