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OT: asbestos in vermiculite attic insulation

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/insulation.html

Just in case anyone missed this (and I'm not sure it's as widely known as it should be) the EPA has released a warning regarding vermiculite attic insulation containing a particularly nasty form of asbestos. The stuff was sold from the early 1960s through late 1980s.

I post this because we have had little bits of "stuff" falling out of our forced air vents each october when we start the system up (hurrah for California weather) and when I first read the article I nearly fell over. We have a 2 year old daughter. I checked out attic last night and it's actually cellulose fiber insulation ... phew.

Anyway, if you're unsure, and you're about to go into your attic to do some wiring, or remodelling or other audio-related installation just beware. If you have this stuff in the attic or in wall cavities you may want to reconsider.

Safe listening all !
seandtaylor99
seandtaylor99 OP
1,262 posts
 
Dweller, the asbestos shingles and brake pads are not as dangerous because the asbestos is more contained than in the zonolite insulation. For example the vermiculite was also mixed into concrete and sprayed onto buildings (e.g. world trade center) but is much less dangerous in this form due to the asbestos being suspended in the concrete.

Many thanks to the audiogon moderators for allowing this completely off-topic thread through. The more people that know about this stuff the less hazardous it will be. As the EPA says if you leave it alone it's not likely to be a problem.

Note also that vermiculite currently being sold does not contain this asbestos because it is mined at different sources where asbestos does not contaminate the vermiculite. So all you gardeners just carry on ...
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Asbestos is no longer used in brake pads. There may be some kind of exception to this but I'm not aware of one. I wish I could buy asbestos shingles. They last forever and I doubt if I would inhale one.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,786 posts
 
Lugnut: The shingles on my former home were flakey as Bill Clinton. You could (and can) cause a flurry just brushing the surface with your hand. Keep in mind, the siding was unpainted and 50+ years old. I also remember in 6th and 7th grade our schoolroom was the former "science" room which had, hanging at face level, an asbestos blanket for emergencies (experiments gone wrong, etc.). Thank goodness the hippies gave us the environmental movement or we'd be wearing asbestos underwear for "safety".
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