Do homes around the country containing vermiculite insulation require cleanup?
No. EPA recommends that vermiculite insulation be left undisturbed whenever possible. If removal is necessary for remodeling or other purposes, EPA recommends that a trained asbestos removal professional be used to ensure the material is handled without risk of exposure to the home’s residents. More information on vermiculite insulation is available on EPA’s Web site. Will EPA be addressing the other vermiculite processing plants around the country? EPA has evaluated over 270 sites around the country where Libby vermiculite ore was processed. The EPA has completed cleanup actions at 14 sites, and states or responsible parties have conducted cleanups at six additional locations. EPA is now undertaking further assessments at 105 of the processing sites where 95% of the Libby ore was shipped. None of these sites present the conditions that exist in Libby since they did not involve mining. As a result, this reduces the principal routes of exposure and concern for neighboring communities.
