Why is vermiculite outlawed in Oregon?

In the 1990s, two major suppliers and processing companies of vermiculite, the Libby Mine in Montana and another mine is South Africa, were contaminated by naturally occurring asbestos. This caused many states to ban the import of vermiculite and demand cleanup of any place where the contaminated product was used.

Identification

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring substance that looks like mica and, when heated, the water inside turns to steam and it puffs like popcorn. This makes the final mineral fluffy and lightweight.

Where It Was Used

Vermiculite was and is still used in home insulation and as a major ingredient in potting soil as an additive for aeration. It is also used as an additive for decorative purposes and in instant hand warmers--it's the crunch you hear in those packs.

What Happened?

The two major suppliers; both the Libby Mine in Montana and the other mine in South Africa, were contaminated by naturally occurring asbestos.
Asbestos is a by-product of vermiculite. As vermiculite in its natural unprocessed form is weathered, rained on and heated, it degrades into a form of asbestos. The asbestos is removed and placed in a separate section of the mine. The vermiculite that was shipped was contaminated from the deposits of asbestos.

Asbestos Contamination Continued

Because of this, manufacturing and assembly plants for everything from potting soil, home insulation and other industrial applications plants in Oregon, Montana, Washington and other places were forced to shut down for a cleanup of all contaminated vermiculite and removal of all contaminated products. Because of the scope of the contamination, in so many states, no one is sure how much is still out there.

Laws and Regulations

No law was put into effect by any state banning or outlawing vermiculite because in itself, it's safe. What is now in effect are critical testing practices to make sure there's no contamination of vermiculite and products containing it.

Oregon's Outcome

In 2006, the state of Oregon released a document on the outcome of the cleanup and the regulations on constant testing to make sure no asbestos-contaminated vermiculite is being used or imported.

Source:

State of Oregon Environmental Health Assessment Program (EHAP): Vermiculite

Brayton Law: Asbestos--Contaminated Vermiculite Was Shipped Throughout the Nation, Endangering Workers and the Public

The Vermiculite Association: What is Vermiculite?

More Information:

EPA: Vermiculite

EPA: Asbestos: Laws and Regulations