Asbestos in Vermiculite Masonry Fill
Vermiculite is a natural mineral that has thin, flat layered sheets, much like mica. When heated, vermiculite expands, becoming lightweight and absorbent. This quality makes vermiculite the perfect addition for numerous applications including masonry fill insulation.
Vermiculite in its pure form is completely non-toxic. But if it is in the presence of another mineral called diopside, it can, after millions of years, turn into asbestos. This is exactly what happened in Libby, Montana, when the vermiculite being mined for the W.R. Grace Company for their Zonolite insulation product was found to be contaminated with tremolite, a particularly deadly form of asbestos. At the height of the Libby mining operation, it’s estimated that Grace produced about 80 percent of the world’s vermiculite. Despite knowing that the mine was contaminated with asbestos, Grace continued the mining operation and exposed thousands of workers and townspeople to asbestos. Hundreds have died from asbestos related diseases in Libby, and more become sick with mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases every year.
If you find vermiculite masonry fill that was poured before 1990, it is most likely contaminated by tremolite. The US government estimates that about 35 million homes have vermiculite insulation, but it does not recommend its removal.
How asbestos can lead to asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma
Airborne asbestos fibers that reach a person’s lungs can cause serious health problems or even death in some cases. Asbestos is the only known cause of malignant mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer that affects the heart, lungs or stomach.
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Mesothelioma lawyers may be able to help you
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer or any other asbestos-related disease from workplace or home exposure to asbestos, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Mesothelioma attorneys have helped thousands of mesothelioma patients win compensation for lost wages and medical costs.
Asbestos companies knew of the risks of asbestos exposure for decades before the public knew. There are avenues to compensation for their criminal actions. Asbestos attorneys may be able to help.