Information on Vermiculite Insulation
Containing Asbestos

Health Canada has posted extensive information about vermiculite insulation that may contain asbestos on their web site.

What is Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) doing to determine the extent of the use of vermiculite insulation that may contain asbestos on reserves?

• INACs 10 regional offices have completed their record review to attempt to identify if, when, and where vermiculite insulation that may contain asbestos, was used in the construction of houses on reserve.
  

What are the results of the INAC National Housing Record search?

• Parameters: Records dated 1960 - 1990
  
  

  Region	Status	References To Zonolite1
  Atlantic	Complete	NIL
  Quebec	Complete	28
  Ontario	Complete	NIL
  Manitoba	Complete	234
  Saskatchewan	Complete	276
  Alberta	Complete	25
  British Columbia	Complete	28
  Yukon2	Complete	6

  TOTAL NUMBER OF REFERENCES : 597

  Please Note: The number of references represent those houses built between 1960 and 1990. The exact number of those houses that are still standing is not known as Band records were not searched and Chiefs are currently looking into their communities and contacting Health Canada's Environment Health Officers. There is no data for Northwest Territories and Nunavut since housing in those areas have been delegated to the Territorial Governments.

  ¹ References indicate homes that were identified during the records search that may have been built using Zonolite Loose-Fill Vermiculite Insulation. Note that these references are not necessarily complete since communities themselves, or individual members, may have undertaken construction activities using Zonolite Loose-Fill Vermiculite Insulation.

  ² Only identified as Vermiculite, to date no confirmation that the product is in fact, Zonolite Loose-Fill Vermiculite Insulation.

What is INAC prepared to do should the presence of vermiculite insulation be identified?

• In situations where records indicate that vermiculite insulation that may contain asbestos was used we will be working with our federal colleagues and First Nations to make sure the health of community members is not compromised. INAC will deal with requests for assistance on a case by case basis.
  

What should on-reserve residents do if they suspect that there may be vermiculite insulation in their home?

• Leave it alone. Health Canada advises there is no risk if vermiculite insulation is left undisturbed. If disturbed, the loose-fill products may pose a risk, as the asbestos fibres may get into the air. Both Health Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommend leaving this material undisturbed.
• If the insulation is not exposed to the home environment, for example, if it is sealed behind wallboards and floorboards or is isolated in the attic, do not disturb it.
• If insulation material is exposed to the living space in a house, or the ceiling is in disrepair, it is advisable to contact your local health centre.
• If you plan to remodel or renovate in a manner that would disturb the vermiculite, hire professionals trained and qualified to handle asbestos to remove the material.
• Never attempt to remove the insulation yourself; hire trained and qualified professionals to remove the material.
  

Should home occupants test the material themselves?

No. Health Canada recommends that collecting any sample should be done by a professional. First, should the material contain asbestos, disturbing it could cause the asbestos fibres to become airborne, creating a risk for you and possibly others. Second, reliable test results require professional expertise and equipment for taking a sample and testing it.

Please see Health Canada's bulletin Vermiculite Insulation for more information.

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