# Vermiculite Insulation ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Interior Inspections\ **Created:** [November 20, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464 "2014-11-20T23:35:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![smorris1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/smorris1/32/59905_2.png) [@smorris1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/smorris1)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/1 "2014-11-20T23:35:44Z")
Does this look like vermiculite insulation (home was built in 1971) If it does look like vermiculite, how would you write it up ? TKS in advance ![EMaple-Longwood 230.JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/8/0/8051ccef252a7fbf3d50ffa19217bf80919225d0.jpeg) ![EMaple-Longwood 228.JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/5/f/5ff0ea4188e8dedda931a73ab09685898e303372.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![kramm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@kramm](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kramm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/2 "2014-11-20T23:51:38Z")
Looks like it. It appears that Vermiculite insulation was used in the attic. EPA and ATSDR _strongly recommend that Vermiculite insulation is left undisturbed._ It is also recommended that you do not store boxes or other items in your attic, do not allow children to play in an attic, and do not attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire a professional contractor if you plan to remodel or conduct renovations that would disturb the vermiculite in your attic or walls to make sure the material is safely handled and/or removed. ---
**Author:** ![mauger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mauger/32/178937_2.png) [@mauger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mauger)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/3 "2014-11-21T00:15:10Z")
Id incorporate that vermiculite was known to contain asbestos, I recommend treating it as if it contains asbestos, until tested by a trained, qualified, licensed asbestos abatement contractor. if testing concludes asbestos presence, take appropriate caution… something like that ---
**Author:** ![irobertson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/irobertson/32/171974_2.png) [@irobertson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/irobertson)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/4 "2014-11-21T00:22:02Z")
Don’t they consider all vermiculite to be an “asbestos containing product” now? ---
**Author:** ![rcooke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcooke/32/57038_2.png) [@rcooke](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcooke)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/5 "2014-11-21T00:29:01Z")
> [@irobertson](#): > > Don’t they consider all vermiculite to be an “asbestos containing product” now? Testing only shows what is in that area . Vermiculite came in many bags .testing does not confirm all areas have or do not have asbestos CYA write hard talk soft and miss nothing . None found does not mean there is none in the attic it only means none in the tested area … ---
**Author:** ![mcyr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcyr/32/173319_2.png) [@mcyr](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcyr)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/6 "2014-11-21T00:43:21Z")
Reference here;[http://homerenovations.about.com/od/energysaving/ss/Is-My-Attic-Insulation-Asbestos.htm?utm\_term=is%20vermiculite%20dangerous&utm\_content=p1-main-1-more&utm\_medium=sem&utm\_source=msn&utm\_campaign=adid-28a85bc9-22ce-41be-9880-d3842f784e7c-0-ab\_msb\_ocode-4568&ad=semD&an=msn\_s&am=broad&q=is%20vermiculite%20dangerous&dqi=&o=4568&l=sem&qsrc=999&askid=28a85bc9-22ce-41be-9880-d3842f784e7c-0-ab\_msb](http://homerenovations.about.com/od/energysaving/ss/Is-My-Attic-Insulation-Asbestos.htm?utm_term=is%20vermiculite%20dangerous&utm_content=p1-main-1-more&utm_medium=sem&utm_source=msn&utm_campaign=adid-28a85bc9-22ce-41be-9880-d3842f784e7c-0-ab_msb_ocode-4568&ad=semD&an=msn_s&am=broad&q=is%20vermiculite%20dangerous&dqi=&o=4568&l=sem&qsrc=999&askid=28a85bc9-22ce-41be-9880-d3842f784e7c-0-ab_msb) ---
**Author:** ![irobertson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/irobertson/32/171974_2.png) [@irobertson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/irobertson)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:52am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/7 "2014-11-21T00:52:21Z")
> [@rcooke](#): > > > [@irobertson](#): > > > > Don’t they consider all vermiculite to be an “asbestos containing product” now? > > Testing only shows what is in that area . > Vermiculite came in many bags .testing does not confirm all areas have or do not have asbestos CYA write hard talk soft and miss nothing . > None found does not mean there is none in the attic it only means none in the tested area … Where I am they don’t even test anymore, they just treat it as asbestos. They consider asbestos with or without testing now ---
**Author:** ![mcyr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcyr/32/173319_2.png) [@mcyr](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcyr)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/8 "2014-11-21T01:04:49Z")
The majority of all vermiculite insulation produced before 1990 used contaminated vermiculite from Libby. Asbestos fibers in vermiculite are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Only a trained technician using a microscope can see asbestos fibers. However, due to limitations in the methods even trained technicians cannot always determine if all vermiculite contains asbestos. Therefore, to be safe, you should assume that vermiculite insulation may be contaminated with asbestos.] [http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/vermiculite051603.html](http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/vermiculite051603.html) ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 2:04am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/9 "2014-11-21T02:04:32Z")
I include this link when I observe vermiculite insulation. > **[Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation | US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-asbestos-contaminated-vermiculite-insulation)** > > What to do if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana. ---
**Author:** ![mmcfadden](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mmcfadden/32/230002_2.png) [@mmcfadden](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mmcfadden)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 2:17am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/10 "2014-11-21T02:17:02Z")
> [@irobertson](#): > > Where I am they don’t even test anymore, they just treat it as asbestos. They consider asbestos with or without testing now Ian, a very high percentage of vermiculite contains asbestos. I’d call it a possible asbestos containing material. Most vermiculite from that time frame came from Libby, Montana and contained asbestos. Not worth testing. You can still buy vermiculite at some home improvement stores…its asbestos free though. Mike ---
**Author:** ![irobertson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/irobertson/32/171974_2.png) [@irobertson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/irobertson)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/11 "2014-11-21T02:27:16Z")
> [@mmcfadden](#): > > > [@irobertson](#): > > > > Where I am they don’t even test anymore, they just treat it as asbestos. They consider asbestos with or without testing now > > Ian, a very high percentage of vermiculite contains asbestos. > I’d call it a possible asbestos containing material. Most vermiculite from that time frame came from Libby, Montana and contained asbestos. Not worth testing. > > You can still buy vermiculite at some home improvement stores…its asbestos free though. > > Mike True. I was talking about the older stuff though. I will have to check if it’s a NYS thing, but we don’t even test the old stuff any more, it just gets removed and they all quote the same new code ---
**Author:** ![rcooke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcooke/32/57038_2.png) [@rcooke](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcooke)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/12 "2014-11-21T03:07:59Z")
> [@irobertson](#): > > True. I was talking about the older stuff though. I will have to check if it’s a NYS thing, but we don’t even test the old stuff any more, it just gets removed and they all quote the same new code Any idea what the approximate cost is to remove the vermiculite Insulation is … Thanks … Roy ---
**Author:** ![irobertson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/irobertson/32/171974_2.png) [@irobertson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/irobertson)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 3:13am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/13 "2014-11-21T03:13:48Z")
Depends on where and how much. I had one two weeks ago that cost almost 10k ---
**Author:** ![dokeefe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dokeefe/32/171355_2.png) [@dokeefe](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dokeefe)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/14 "2014-11-21T12:18:47Z")
> [@irobertson](#): > > Depends on where and how much. I had one two weeks ago that cost almost 10k Ian, what do you recommend when you find it, removal, don’t disturb or recommend they consult asbestos professional? Or all of the above? You are also right, don’t bother testing, just consider it contains asbestos. ---
**Author:** ![jjimenez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jjimenez](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjimenez)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:54pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/15 "2014-11-21T12:54:11Z")
> [@irobertson](#): > > Don’t they consider all vermiculite to be an “asbestos containing product” now? Yes… ---
**Author:** ![kmiddleton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kmiddleton/32/263_2.png) [@kmiddleton](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kmiddleton)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 12:32pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/vermiculite-insulation/91464/16 "2014-11-22T12:32:27Z")
Ive found vermiculite from the old mine in Libby Montana contains asbestos. The vermiculite I’ve had tested that came from Quebec or South Africa has not contained asbestos.