What is vermiculite insulation?

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Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that has
the unusual property of expanding into worm-like
accordion shaped pieces when heated. The
expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fireresistant,
absorbent, and odorless material. These
properties allow vermiculite to be used to make
numerous products, including attic insulation.
Do I have vermiculite insulation?
Vermiculite can be purchased in various forms for
various uses. Sizes of vermiculite products range
from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces
nearly an inch long. Vermiculite attic insulation is a
pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually lightbrown
or gold in color. The pictures in the center of
this pamphlet and on the cover show several
samples of vermiculite attic insulation.
Is vermiculite insulation a problem?
Prior to its close in 1990, much of the world's
supply of vermiculite came from a mine near Libby,
Montana. This mine had a natural deposit of
asbestos which resulted in the vermiculite being
contaminated with asbestos. Attic insulation
produced using vermiculite ore, particularly ore that
originated from the Libby mine, may contain
asbestos fibers. Today, vermiculite is mined at
three U.S. facilities and in other countries which
have low levels of contamination in the finished
material.
How does asbestos cause health
problems?
Asbestos can cause health problems when inhaled
into the lungs. If products containing asbestos are
disturbed, thin, lightweight asbestos fibers are
released into the air. Persons breathing the air may
breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure
increases the amount of fibers that remain in the
lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time
may result in lung diseases such as asbestosis,
lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases
your risk of developing illness from asbestos
exposure.