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Toxic Materials Library: Zonolite
 vermiculiteZonolite
is Vermiculite that Contains a Deadly Form Of AsbestosWhere Is It Found?  Buildings containing Zonolite vermiculite insulation installed before the 1980’s may contain asbestos. Vermiculite insulation was produced by the Libby Mine in Montana from the 1960’s to the 1990’s and sold as Zonolite vermiculite attic insulation in Canada during that time. Vermiculite from the Libby Mine can contain asbestos. Enclosed or tightly bound asbestos fibers cause no significant health risk however asbestos becomes an airborne toxin when its fibers escape into the air during building renovations or repairs. Zonolite vermiculite is brownish in color, very light weight, with silvery or gold-colored metallic looking material, that was used as an insulation, poured in between joists and open spaces in the attics of homes after construction. It may appear as small pieces of “pop-corn.” The federal government estimates that it is in as many as 35 million homes in North America, 300 000 of them in Canada. Why Is It A Dangerous Toxin? Asbestos fibers lodge themselves into the lungs. If inhaled in significant quantities, the airborne toxin can cause asbestosis (a scarring of the lungs which makes breathing difficult), mesothemlioma (a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity), and lung cancer (a malignant tumor of the bronchi covering). What Can I Do? Avoid disturbing insulation containing asbestos. Never attempt to remove and dispose of insulation containing asbestos by yourself. Regularly check materials you suspect of containing asbestos for signs of damage or wear. Our qualified staff at Reitzel Bros. Environmental can help you to determine if you have Zonolite vermiculite, assess the risk, select the most appropriate method of managing the problem, and perform the abatement operation — be it removal and disposal or encapsulation. contact us if you suspect Zonolite vermiculite in your home, office or institution read the Health Canada warning on Zonolite vermiculite (offsite link)
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