Vermiculite History |
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Vermiculite has been used for fertilizer, building insulation, and potting soil. Only vermiculite that contains asbestos is hazardous and most of that vermiculite was produced in a Montana mine that was closed in 1990.
Vermiculite deposits were first discovered by prospectors northeast of Libby, Montana, in the early 1900s. Ed Alley was exploring an old gold mine when he stuck a miner's candle into the wall while collecting samples. He observed that the area around the candle turned golden in color and had expanded. After buying the mine he investigated further and found that this mineral had good insulating properties. Many people in the area used the product in and around their homes and the Libby mine was the largest employer in the area. A larger company bought the area and ran its operation from 1963 through its closure in 1990.
Asbestos was detected in the mine and in the soil of the area. In 1999 the mine was found responsible for illnesses and deaths that were attributed to asbestos exposure. These illnesses affected Libby workers and their families, as well as residents. The vermiculite in the Libby mine was tested and revealing that it contained asbestos. The EPA has been working in the Libby mine to safely clean up the soil and air quality in the area. Unfortunately, residents who never worked at the mine are showing higher levels of asbestos related disease.
