From Beth Robinson
Monroe
To the editor:
"What you don't know can't hurt you" is a familiar phrase. Until recently, I knew absolutely nothing about vermiculite. I'd never heard of it. Now, I'm no expert, but I've learned a lot. Vermiculite was found as the material used as attic insulation of our recently purchased home in Monroe, WI. Vermiculite looks sort of like pellets - not the pink insulation we are accustomed to. There is not a problem with pure vermiculite. The problem is that 80 percent or more of old vermiculite attic insulation in the US came from what is now an EPA Superfund site in Libby, Montana and contains asbestos. Asbestos fibers are invisible without a microscope. When disturbed these particles become airborne and can be described as microscopic chards of glass that you breathe into your lungs. Most people know that asbestos can cause serious health problems.
Fortunately, before we moved into the house we had a licensed asbestos removal company remove this material. If you suspect your home may contain vermiculite insulation (and therefore highly likely contains asbestos), there are several remedies from the EPA from containment to removal. I'm including a web address where I learned about this health hazard. https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-asbestos-contaminated-vermiculite-insulation. Also check out the ZAI Trust if you suspect vermiculite in your attic http://www.zonoliteatticinsulation.com/.
Monroe
To the editor:
"What you don't know can't hurt you" is a familiar phrase. Until recently, I knew absolutely nothing about vermiculite. I'd never heard of it. Now, I'm no expert, but I've learned a lot. Vermiculite was found as the material used as attic insulation of our recently purchased home in Monroe, WI. Vermiculite looks sort of like pellets - not the pink insulation we are accustomed to. There is not a problem with pure vermiculite. The problem is that 80 percent or more of old vermiculite attic insulation in the US came from what is now an EPA Superfund site in Libby, Montana and contains asbestos. Asbestos fibers are invisible without a microscope. When disturbed these particles become airborne and can be described as microscopic chards of glass that you breathe into your lungs. Most people know that asbestos can cause serious health problems.
Fortunately, before we moved into the house we had a licensed asbestos removal company remove this material. If you suspect your home may contain vermiculite insulation (and therefore highly likely contains asbestos), there are several remedies from the EPA from containment to removal. I'm including a web address where I learned about this health hazard. https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-asbestos-contaminated-vermiculite-insulation. Also check out the ZAI Trust if you suspect vermiculite in your attic http://www.zonoliteatticinsulation.com/.
