What to Do If You Have Zonolite Insulation

(Nov. 29) -- If you think your home has Zonolite or any other vermiculite insulation, leave it alone.

Scientists who have studied Zonolite say as long as it remains completely undisturbed and is not releasing fibers into the air, it isn't harmful. The key here is completely.

The slightest disruption will send a cloud of invisible asbestos into the air and, some authorities say, the inhalation of a single fiber of the asbestos from the mines in Libby, Mont., can fester into cancer.

In the Series
Part 1: Government Refuses to Act on Cancer-Causing Insulation
Madison Square Garden Case Illustrates Paranoia
What to Do If You Have Zonolite Insulation
Part 2: Cancer Patient's Home a 'Living Laboratory' for Deadly Fibers
Part 3: 'In Libby, There Was No Maybe' About Dangers
Part 4: Asbestos Dangers Known Centuries Ago, but Battle Continues

Sweeping or even vacuuming insulation dust in your attic just wildly circulates the dust.

Some other tips:

Don't attempt removal or repair yourself. Have the work done by a trained professional. But make sure the removal firm knows about the extreme toxicity of the Zonolite asbestos
If you don't know whether a material contains asbestos, have it tested by a certified lab, again, one that understands the testing procedures needed to identify the Libby product.
You can try calling your local U.S. EPA office. Most will just direct you to the vermiculite website, but some care enough to unofficially point you to appropriated professional help.
If you are an cable installer or a renovator, don't work around the Zonolite without wearing the proper – asbestos-filtered – respirators and Tyvek or disposable overall, which should be removed and bagged before re-entering the house. The blue, paper dust masks sold and drug and home improvement stores do little or nothing to prevent the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Here are some websites with photos and guidance for surviving with Libby vermiculite:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Centers for Disease Control
The Environmental Working Group