Asbestos, vermiculite, risk of illness and mesothelioma compensation
Vermiculite, otherwise known as hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-ironsilicate, is a mineral that has been used for a variety of purposes since the early part of the twentieth century. Although not all vermiculite contains asbestos, there is evidence that certain mines across the world have produced asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. This reality became clear earlier this century when 200 workers from a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, USA successfully made claims for mesothelioma compensation.
Vermiculite is a granular substance similar in appearance to mica. It is used in various industrial settings including construction, horticulture and the pesticide manufacture. It is also used in a home setting as a soil conditioner and insulator.
Despite the fact that the vast majority of vermiculite-based products are thought to be safe, studies have shown that a number of these do contain more than 1% asbestos, the level deemed unsafe by the United States' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Even in instances where vermiculite products contain less than 1% asbestos they may still pose a hazard if they are characterized by a large amount of residual dust.
Fortunately, precautions can be taken. For example, the EPA recommends that home gardeners avoid the use of vermiculite-only soil preparations. It also suggests that these mixtures should be prepared when damp, ideally in a well-ventilated area.
Susan Wayland, from the EPA, explains that, although present, the vermiculite asbestos risk from soil conditioners is minimal, "We tested a number of bags of straight vermiculite and pre-mixed potting soil that contained vermiculite. Low levels of asbestos were found in a handful of these bags, primarily those bags of straight vermiculite. These levels were very low and do not pose significant health risks. However, we feel it is important for consumers to be armed with this information when making their decisions," she says.
In the case of vermiculite-based insulation, the consensus among safety experts is that it is likely to be safe, provided it is left undisturbed. However, in cases where asbestos exposure does occur and mesothelioma develops, it is feasible to imagine that vermiculite mining companies could be considered liable for payouts of mesothelioma compensation.
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