The basic recommendations regarding vermiculite insulation boil down to "leave it alone" or have it "professionally removed." That sounds simple enough, but what is an inspector to say when he finds where it has not been professionally removed? In these two pictures you can see the small piles of remaining vermiculite.
Well, like so many things, it gets more complicated than that. First of all, even vermiculite that has any asbestos in it has a very small percentage present. Couple that with the point in time (a few years ago) when it was assumed that that testing was reliable, with current knowledge that says that testing is not conclusive, and you then have even more confusion. Now lets add to that, that homeowners are allowed to remove it themselves in some jurisdictions if they follow the proper protocols including getting the necessary permits etc.
Again, what is an inspector to say where it is obvious that the material has been removed? Forget about whether it was professionally done, or whether the homeowner did it. As an inspector we can not know whether the stuff had asbestos in it or not. What if the homeowner decided to do it themselves? Let's make the giant leap to assuming that they went to the trouble to get the stuff tested and they have the results of a test (in writing) that says it has levels of asbestos below what is considered hazardous. Now lets for the sake of discussion say that we have now found out that the test was faulty and the stuff actually does contain asbestos.
Current regulations say to assume that vermiculite contains asbestos and treat it accordingly.
We now have a home in which the vermiculite containing asbestos has been removed, but have no idea how it was removed. Remember the homeowner assumed it had no asbestos----they have a piece of paper that says so. I can imagine shovels and brooms and a regular old shop-vac churning the stuff up into a nice cloud of dust so thick they couldn't see across the attic. It is not too hard to imagine this fine dust cloud finding its way throughout the home and half the neighborhood. I hope they wore a respirator.
No doubt the worst exposure is going to be for whoever removed the stuff----we just don't know how much effect the dispersion throughout the home and neighborhood will have. While my personal opinion is that any problem is highly remote, I can't support that opinion relative to what the EPA has to say about it. For "better or worse" we are more or less married to meeting the requirements of the EPA regarding Asbestos. Who is to say that some rug rat crawling around in the dust in the basement family room isn't picking up some of this redistributed vermiculite dust?
Again I ask the question, what is the "responsible" thing for the inspector to say when they find the remnants of obviously removed vermiculite throughout an attic?
Charles Buell
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)
all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
MEMBERS OF ACTIVE RAIN CAN EASILY SUBSCRIBE
TO MY BLOG BY CLICKING ON THE NUMBER PLATE!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Click on the Rose 
to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)
all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.
I'm not familiar with vermiculite. That term doesn't get slung around in Arkansas. Is it the same as asbestos, which does get slung around a lot? I'm glad you're back to work after exhausting yourself with that last blog! : )
Barbara, I would be very surprised if you didn't have it down your way----very popular in the 40's & 50's. If you click on the link above in the post you can find out more about it and see pictures of typical installations. (also it is always a lot of work when one gets "stuck" in their alter ego:)
HHHmmmm .... Looks like the responsible thing to do is act like you never saw the stuff.
Is this the right answer?
Sean Allen
Charles - I have a few things that come to mind but they are neither "responsible" nor appropriate. But they would be funny! LOL ~Rita
Sean, I wasn't thinking along those lines exactly:)
Rita, yes, me as well, but another one of my Alter Egos is being Don Quixote----so it would be nice to at least attempt to take a meaningful or helpful tact:)
Charles, it looks as if it was just small rocks laying in the attic? So someone had to figure out a way to get it up there and then someone has to get it out. Is that right? I have never seen this in an attic but I've not been into too many attics.
I say put your head in a paper bag and breathe in and out deeply until you think it through and know what to do. Is that the kind of sage advice you were looking for.
Barbara, what it is is expanded mica. Under heat the mica expands into these little accordian shaped pieces of stuff-----it is very light in that form and crumbles very easily.
Steve, good advice---I will be better looking that way too----with a bag over my head:)
I simply note it and educate my Clients about it. The EPA and this site are the best I've found for education.
I would say that if you know it has been non-professionally removed, or otherwise disturbed, you are best to at least disclose that knowledge, and then refer them to the EPA guidelines, and other educational channels, so they can decide for themselves how great the risks are.
Russel, thanks for the link---I have seen the link and am hesitant to use it withouth some recognition of the source:) Even though I think they are accurate in my opinion.
Kevin, with this one I just don't know. What does professionally removed look like? One single piece left in place? 10? 100? And then as Russel's link discusses----is there any risk to begin with?
Charles,
Professionally removed would have been no traces found. That's the proper protocol for asbestos removal.
My understanding of asbestos in vermiculite is it came from one mine in Libby Montana. Out here in CT it is unlikely, not impossible, that it made its way here. However you are just a little closer.
What I do is note it and tell the clients that asbestos in vermiculite is inconsistent and if they are concerned they should have it professionally tested.
James----that would be my guess as well. But with this stuff there is just no way you are going to get every little piece. For one thing it often filters through wiring holes down into wall cavities and even ends up in little piles in the crawl space. As a side note, I can not attest to residences, but I can remember pouring tons of perlite into concrete blocks for insulation and my dad used to buy vermiculite by the truckloads to mix with dirt for potting soil in his greenhouses. All in your backyard that is Connecticut:)
Good question Charles... I wonder what the best answer would be? In our area (Concord/Charlotte NC) the Offer to Purchse and Contract mentions "friable" asbestos. Wouldn't there probably be some in the case where you got your pictures?
Cheryl, while this type of material would likely be considered "friable" the actual percentage of possible asbestos in the is material is actually very low. 2% or less.