Vermiculite Insulation Removal In Toronto

Vermiculite is a mineral that is used in a variety of products, from potting soil to insulation. For 70 years, most of the vermiculite mined for insulation came from one Montana-based mine, which was later discovered to be tainted with asbestos. This vermiculite insulation is also tainted with asbestos, and over 35 million North American homes contain vermiculite insulation from this mine.

Photo of vermiculite insulation from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

If you are considering buying a home that may contain asbestos insulation or already own one that may contain vermiculite insulation, a home inspection may not find asbestos materials and a separate asbestos inspection may need to be conducted. If the home was built before 1990, there is a good chance it contains this dangerous insulation. There are a number of companies throughout the Greater Toronto Area that will remove asbestos and vermiculite insulation safely (without releasing the fibers into the air), as well as test for the presence of asbestos in your insulation, which usually costs only 100$ or so.

The problem with asbestos materials is when they are disturbed, otherwise they pose little risk. When they are moved, they release tiny fibers into the air that are then inhaled, causing lung cancer.

According to Health Canada,vermiculite or other asbestos materials should never be removed by homeowners, only certified asbestos abatement companies. These companies should be consulted before any remodeling or renovating, which can disturb the materials.

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