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Attic Insulation May Expose You to Asbestos

Throughout the 1900s, asbestos was used in thousands of products, particularly in the construction industry. In the 1970s, a series of highly publicized lawsuits exposed the dirty little secrets of the asbestos industry, and the world learned that exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma, a particularly nasty form of cancer. Mesothelioma is specifically caused when asbestos dust or fibers are inhaled or ingested and lodges in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Many people who worked with or around asbestos, or were exposed to it in their home have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or asbestos related lung cancer. Thousands have died of mesothelioma.

Among the asbestos containing home construction products that were often used during the 1950s through 1980s is attic insulation. Specifically, an attic insulation with the brand name Zonolite was made of vermiculite, a mineral with insulating properties. In 1985, the EPA estimated that over 940,000 homes were insulated with products made from vermiculite. Later EPA studies concluded that there are probably far more.

Judging by the sales records kept by W. R. Grace, that number is egregiously underreported. Those reports suggest that the number of homes that might have Zonolite attic insulation is closer to ten times that amount, nearly 12 million homes. According to some estimates, about 1 in 5 homes that were built or insulated between the mid-1950s and the early 1990s have Zonolite attic insulation.

Vermiculite is a mineral that is mined in a number of places worldwide, and the mineral itself is not the problem. It becomes a problem when the vermiculite is contaminated with asbestos. According to EPA statistics, more than 70% of the vermiculite used for attic insulation in the U.S. came from one mine - the Libby Mine in Libby, Montana. Operated by the W. R. Grace Company, the Libby Mine is so contaminated with asbestos that the Congressional bills calling for mesothelioma reform contain a special category for residents of the town of Libby, who were exposed to high levels of asbestos throughout the years when the mine was in operation.

The vermiculite insulation that should be most concerning to homeowners and those who work in restoration and renovation was produced by the W. R. Grace Company with asbestos laced vermiculite from the Libby Mine. It was sold under the name of Zonolite. While Grace stopped producing Zonolite in 1984, and the Libby Mine has been closed since 1990, there's a high probability that Zonolite continued to be stocked and used in insulation and home construction for some years after its discontinuation. If your home was built between 1955 and 1990, or had attic insulation added, there is a risk of asbestos exposure in your home.

What to Look For

Zonolite is a granular substance that was spread between the wooden joists in the attic. The granules are about the size of a pencil eraser or smaller. They are light and puffy, rather like tiny pieces of popcorn. When clean and new, Zonolite insulation was a pale yellowish brown. After years in the attic, it may be gray, dark gray, dark brown or black.

What to Do if You Find Zonolite in Your Attic

If you think your attic insulation may be Zonolite, you should NOT attempt cleanup yourself. If there is any chance of casual contact that might stir up the asbestos containing vermiculite, you should avoid the attic and contact professionals in asbestos removal. You should also be aware that your risk of developing mesothelioma is increased because of your possible exposure to the tremolite asbestos in the vermiculite, and make certain that your doctor is aware of your exposure. Finally, if you have had contact with Zonolite attic insulation and have become ill as a result, you may want to contact a lawyer to find out if you have any rights to compensation for your illness.

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