The problem is that essentially the same geologic processes that produce vermiculite also are conducive to creating asbestos, so they can be found in the same locations whereby vermiculite can be contaminated with asbestos fibers.
There is no safe level of human exposure to asbestos, and it cannot always be seen with the naked eye. Exposure to airborne asbestos can cause lung disease, even death, and the symptoms following an exposure may not show up for decades. Most of the vermiculite that was used in the 20 th century came from Libby, Montana; the same area where there was a huge mining operation for asbestos.
The Libby vermiculite mine was closed in and vermiculite production nowadays is safer. Today, companies are expected to routinely test and sell vermiculite that is free of asbestos.
While the Libby, Montana vermiculite mine was in operation, asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation was widely distributed throughout North America, most often under the company name Zonolite. Loose-fill insulation of this type is poured into spaces between walls and in attics.
It is in the shape of small nuggets, or pebbles, with the characteristic accordion-like shape and colored from silver-gray to gray-brown. Any vermiculate insulation should be treated with caution, but insulation applied between and are at a high risk of containing asbestos fibers from the Libby, Montana mine. Do you know anything about the saftey of perlite?
I know you stated it is non-toxic. I also know that if I prefer to stick with only vermiculite in potting soil, asbestos can be a concern.
Aluminum toxicity only occurs at certain levels and any amount that may or may not be present in perlite has not been found to have any adverse effects in humans. Linda, you forgot to tell Talitha the most important thing. Clay minerals are build up with aluminium. So ammonium chloride NH4Cl must be double bad? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Written by Linda Ly.
Characteristics of Perlite vs. What is perlite? What is vermiculite? Does vermiculite contain asbestos? Perlite vs. Common questions about perlite vs. For horticultural use, vermiculite is found in the following four different grades, or granule sizes: Type of Vermiculite Grade Granule Size Super coarse vermiculite 4 4mm to 8mm Coarse vermiculite 3 3mm to 6mm Medium vermiculite 2 2mm to 4mm Fine vermiculite 1 1mm to 3mm. Use perlite if: You want to loosen heavy clay soil. Perlite helps break up surface crusts and reduce soil compaction.
Shade-loving houseplants, succulents, and cacti do better with less water, so a potting mix amended with perlite helps prevent root rot and fungal disease. You garden in a wet or humid climate.
Adding more perlite to containers or garden beds helps keep the soil from becoming waterlogged. Because vermiculite holds moisture better than perlite, it helps keep seeds from drying out during germination. Adding vermiculite to your potting mix helps them retain moisture better. You garden in a dry climate. Adding more vermiculite to potting soil and soilless mixes conserves moisture in the growing media. Remember this general rule of thumb: Use perlite when you want better drainage and aeration.
Use vermiculite when you want more moisture retention. Can you use perlite or vermiculite in organic gardening? Can you grow plants in just vermiculite? Can you mix perlite and vermiculite?
Can you use perlite or vermiculite in a raised bed? The recent journal report in American Mineralogist is expected to spark the licensing procedure.
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Order Yours Now. Find a Doctor Dr. Among new products that may still contain asbestos are soil retention enhancers, particularly vermiculite. Vermiculite is mined from natural deposits across the globe and has a myriad of uses not only for commercial and private gardening, but also as an insulation compound. Vermiculite forms over millions of years due to the weathering of the mineral, biotite.
Unfortunately, former biotite deposits are often in close proximity to deposits of diopside, which upon being subjected to the same weathering and age conditions becomes asbestos. In Libby, MT one particular mine shipped hundreds of thousands of tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite across the country.
However, they were not the only manufacturers of vermiculite to ship asbestos with their products. Many other manufacturers were doing the same thing before EPA testing and regulations finally forced them to limit the amount of residual asbestos dust in the vermiculite. Grace Company closed its mine in Libby, Montana and over 20 processing plants located across the country. Today, most vermiculite is safe. However, that is not to say it cannot contain asbestos.
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