What kind of Insulation is This?

[Timothy J. Smith]

Can anyone tell me what kind of insulation this is, i am writing the report right now and have never seen this before. Any info would be helpfull thanks.

[James H. Bushart]

Could be vermiculite.

[Bob Elliott]

There is a new type that looks like Vermiculite used in some fireplaces.
Not sure what it is yet though.

[Michael J. Meeker]

I am sure I am wrong but it looks like packing peanuts to me. Please let us know if you ever find out for sure. Good luck.

[Timothy J. Smith]

it was really lite like packing peanuts, but it was slightly reflective with my flashlight.

[Timothy J. Smith]

It may be vermiculite.

[Michael Larson]

Identifying Vermiculite

I also looks to be mixed with Rock Wool or some other material.

The only way to know it contains Asbestos is by testing a sample.

Not all Vermiculite contains asbestos.

[Bob Elliott]

http://www.fireside-accessories.com/...ator-161-p.asp


You should assume that vermiculite insulation is from Libby and treat the material as if it contained asbestos by not disturbing it or by using a trained professional if it needs to be removed. Since the Libby mine was estimated to be the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990 and vermiculite from Libby was contaminated with asbestos.

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html#contains

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by tsmith8

Can anyone tell me what kind of insulation this is, i am writing the report right now and have never seen this before. Any info would be helpfull thanks.

· Investigate: The loose-fill insulation in main attic appears to be vermiculite. More than 70 percent of the vermiculite ore mined in the world came from a deposit in Libby, Montana that was contaminated with trace levels of asbestos. A third to a half of the vermiculite from this mine was sold as attic insulation from the 1940s until 1984, when its sale by the company was discontinued. More than 1.5 billion pounds of raw contaminated ore was sent to processing plants across Canada. It was even on the list of eligible materials for the federal government's Canadian Home Insulation Program (CHIP), a program that offered grants to homeowners from 1977 to the mid-1980s. The vermiculite was sold under the brand name Zonolite Attic Insulation. Based on this information, it would be reasonable to assume that attics insulated with vermiculite may contain asbestos. Health Canada reports that:
Some vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos fibres. These products can cause health risks if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition. However, there is currently no evidence of risk to your health if the insulation is sealed behind wallboards and floorboards, isolated in an attic, or otherwise kept from exposure to the interior environment.
For more information, we recommend you review Health Canada’s It’s Your Health document, Vermiculite Insulation Containing Asbestos included with this report.
Determining the presence or absence of asbestos is beyond the scope of a visual home inspection, and can only be accomplished through laboratory testing. If this is a concern to you, consult an environmental engineer or a qualified asbestos specialist.

[mnahrgang]

vermiculite with rock wool mixed in.

Most vermiculite that I see is pea sized, but I've heard of it in larger units (like packing peanuts), so do rule it out because of size.