Greenbytes: May 21, 2003 Edition

Greetings from EPA New England. We hope you find this edition of Greenbytes useful and we encourage you to give us feedback. Please send an email to Paul Wintrob with your thoughts, comments or suggestions: wintrob.paul@epa.gov

Feature: EPA Educates Public on Vermiculite Insulation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today launched a national campaign to educate the public on vermiculite attic insulation. The campaign follows a pilot study done at half a dozen homes in Vermont on the risks of exposure to asbestos in vermiculate attic insulation. As part of the campaign, which was launched in conjunction with the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a new consumer brochure was released.

The brochure was mailed to state officials around the country. It instructs homeowners on how to identify vermiculite attic insulation and recommends that homeowners not disturb the insulation as long as it is contained.

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined throughout the world. When heated, the vermiculite ore expands into a light, fluffy material, that is fire resistant, chemically inert, absorbent, light weight and odorless. It is commonly used as an ingredient in potting soil, thermal and sound insulation, construction material, insulation material and for lightweight, absorbent packaging material. W.R.Grace owned and operated a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. Much of the vermiculite from this mine was used in the company's Zonolite attic insulation, a product that the company sold from 1963 to 1984.

EPA officials released the study as well as the brochure at a press conference today, May 21.

Some of the recommendations included in the brochure were:

• Consumers should not disturb the insulation since this could release asbestos fibers into the air;
• homeowners should limit trips to the attic and the length of these trips.
• Children should not play in the attic, and
• the insulation should only be removed by trained professionals.

The brochures are available from the EPA asbestos hotline by calling 1-800-471-7127. This asbestos hotline will also answer questions from the public. The brochure and other information related to the pilot study and vermiculite insulation are available on line at http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/verm.html.

The pilot study was done on six unoccupied homes in Vermont. These homes were chosen because EPA was working with an energy company in Vermont that was interested in studying the risks of asbestos and was able to identify the houses made available for the study.

A report that was prepared by the Global Environmental And Technology Foundation outlines future research steps and risk reduction efforts the agency will undertake. It will be available on GETF’s website at http://www.getf.org/asbestosstrategies/.

Press Releases

EPA Administrator Whitman Accepts Green Building Award For EPA Chelmsford Lab; Unveils Innovative Beaches Water Quality Testing Equipment

EPA Announces $2 Million in Environmental Job Training Grants

EPA Administrator Whitman and Governor Carcieri Visit Narrow River

EPA to Cleanup Debris After Fire Destroys Houlton Building

EPA and State of Massachusetts Launch Campaign to Boost Commuting Options

Events and conferences are not archived. Please refer to the Regional Calendar for upcoming events and conferences.

Brownfields - what’s new and success stories

Colleges and Universities Assistance & Compliance - bmp catalogue added

Connecticut State Unit Page - new storm water fed register notice added

Diesel Exhaust - updated press and recent actions section

Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site - new fact sheet re: soil treatment continues/groundwater cleanup

Elizabeth Mine Superfund Site - new report on passive and semi-active treatment of acid rock drainage from metal mines

Question of the Month - information on pesticides use

Reuse Guide - updated information

State Implementation Plans (SIPs) - new hampshire update

Storm Water - new general permit

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