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FACT PACKET 1 The VERMICULITE- ASBESTOS CONNECTION ( iiJAINTlFPS* 3jX Waste and Toxic Substances Project ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FOUNDATION 1525 New Hampshire N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 202-745-4879 May 1983 $20.00 regular $10.00 non-profit PACKET 1 The VERMICULITE- ASBESTOS CONNECTION Waste and Toxic Substances Project ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FOUNDATION 1525 New Hampshire N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 202-745-4879 May 1983 $20.00 regular $10.00 non-profit The Vermiculite-Asbestos Connection FACT PACKET: # 1 CONTENTS Introduction EXPOSURE article, January 1983 1 South African Vermiculite is Asbestos-Free, April 1983 5 Vermiculite Production & Marketing Mineral Commodity Profile, U.S. Dept, of Interior, 8/78 6 Table: Distribution of Exfoliated Vermiculite, 1977 17 Exposure Assessment Exposed Populations, excerpts from INTERIM FINAL REPORT, EPA Contract Paper, 2/82 18 Environmental Pollution by Asbestos Present in Vermiculite Ore, Mount Sinai School of Medicine 59 Chemical Hazard Information Profile, EPA, 9/79 67 Regulatory Options \,/ Decision Paper for Asbestos-Contaminated / Vermiculite, EPA, 2/81 74 Recommendations: EPA Assessment Division, Office of Toxic Substances, 6/80 101 The Vermiculite-Asbestos Connection FACT PACKET: # 1 CONTENTS Introduction EXPOSURE article, January 1983 1 South African Vermiculite is Asbestos-Free, April 1983 5 Vermiculite Production & Marketing Mineral Commodity Profile, U.S. Dept, of Interior, 8/78 6 Table: Distribution of Exfoliated Vermiculite, 1977 17 Exposure Assessment Exposed Populations, excerpts from INTERIM FINAL REPORT, EPA Contract Paper, 2/82 18 Environmental Pollution by Asbestos Present in Vermiculite Ore, Mount Sinai School of Medicine 59 Chemical Hazard Information Profile, EPA, 9/79 67 Regulatory Options y7 Decision Paper for Asbestos-Contaminated f Vermiculite, EPA, 2/81 74 Recommendations: EPA Assessment Division, Office of Toxic Substances, 6/80 101. Table 1 TO MUCH EXISTING AND o** s 87 ** o> 44 * 3i >** SI --1 Is 0c 4 1 55 S >4 *J u(0 X X 44 n r> Occupat Safety Health AdminIs s *4 a 3 1 *5 - iq n he >4 8 1 as rt <0 83 4(0J u 9 *D OU a *-4 fl * m u o 9 sw a Vi 01 a3cfl c 0 0 40J > e o ^>4i a a 10 u 9 O5 *a0i u eo fl 0 A %M44 10 <0 4J 0 fl 2 44 44 e0 g 9 T-43 09 09 O <% 09 a fl , <40*J4 404 p4 pH *4 9 9 0H wfl 0m fwl 0 0> > o c V 404 404 O*4 fl 44 a e4 fIQl u --C4 f-4l 4fef4ll 990u* e o 0 \ o u< t oj cXn m oO i0j u ao OB 0 X 0 J3 JO +> a 10 -e4 e-4 0 jj j0Q a 0 au ^04 13 fl -* e >44a - 0M ^c i3 aa 0o u u u*4 a 90 4o4 e 0 0 u 0 afol m*4 u 9U e --o4 0 <o44 MfMl *0 u 90 fl eIQ -u4 9. e 9 009S* 2O 00u* H W e 0 ^4 4# -H fl O -4 kl 9 * ac 00 au - a -4 *-4 fl u 0 fl U 0 U "4 0 M o 44 cbeu 0 O O fl O 2U & Si M A a. x W2X-- 44 4J 44 0 0 0 << < >4 c > *4 *9 0 4* 0e a* 0 *9 MJ fl CD <44 C fl W fl 0 <o cn > 4 cn -* 44 u fl 0 H 0 0 44 **4 < fl e *4 0u 4J -m* fl 3 q O 9 0 C 02w T3 4J 0 X 0 44 O fl <4 *4 H *9 o U X 44 *4 fl fl m< a fl fl 4J C 44 M 0 4J U 0 0 0 64 U Wi 9 Vi 0 6 -4 < 4 0 O 0 *9 C 44 *4 < 6 -C a v o fl jz fl 9 U n u. z au U C 0 fl C c s fl O fl t4 CJ X 5* * 3 -H 0 fl 0 fl 9 0 0 a j| H OX ba U . to < c X < < W (4 z x y -S CU X ux Xw be O t- < be U HAZARDOUS BEDFELLOWS: The VERMICULITE- ASBESTOS CONNECTION Since 1971, government and industry have known that virtually all vermiculite produced in this country is contaminated with asbestos. Why don't the 4 million people who live in homes insulated with vermiculite know this? EXPOSURE Environmental Action Foundation 724 Dupont Circle Building Washington DC 20036 thoroughly modenTproduct v- V V* 'the. lifestyle we've grown ac- ' V','. tomed t'&Vermiculite is light- " 'In 1971, the producer of 80% of the 4- ami ttph-combustible. ItX'free'gknd'ihsoluble, chemically ine_r_ ^ili^irt,$ffnon-abrasive. nation's vermiculite announced that virtually all of their ore was coiitami-t This unjirMsive array of attributes enablei^y&nriculite to insulate, nated with asbestos." ' - *i fireproof/extfencl, tighten, and aerate products ranging from potting soil to concrete, plaster board to kitty litter. EPA Releases Documents - In our trusfingconsumer role we've scattered free-flowing vermiculite about our attic, and we've spread ' vermiculite-loaded-fertilizer onto our lawns. Unfortunately, in our all too frequent uninformed consumer Through Freedom of information requests Environmental Action Foun dation has been able to examine EPA documents g^asbftstos contamina tion of vemiculj^ -These reports date back ttj&^T?.; , , role, we've handled vermiculite Althoughftvermiculite has been * without knowing that it's contami mined in nAgJJnited States since nated with asbestos, a proveiy^arci-, . 1929, no suSpf^cTthe health effects Regulatory .Options*3^^..*. OSHA, under their&S^andate to provide a safe enjflftfement for workers, has tWo feg^Wdry options with regards to vermicitKte. The first is an exposure standard and the second a labeling requirement. Theoretically, OSHA's current ex posure standards protect workers, even after the vermiculite has left the nogen.' : ' of exposure to the mineral have been processing plant. But as aryEPA located. The effects of exposure to report notes, "Realisticalh^Mpver, TheTVferjaKliUteiisbestos connec tion went public In 1971. That's when^MQSl.Grace and Co., the- largest domestic supplier of vermiculi teiuedveiled the results of tests confirming asbestos contamination in thbiiore rmined at their Libby;. Montand site, producer of 80% of the natidn's.vermiculite ore. ' In ;1976, both the Occupational Safety' and: Health Administration asbestos, on the other hand, is well documented. By 1918 there was enough evi dence on asbestos hazards to cause American and Canadian insurance companies to stop selling life insur ance to asbestos workers. The cancer-causing potential of asbestos was suspected as early as the 1930's, although the first standard for occupational exposure to asbestos wasn't set until 1971 by OSHA. it is difficult to imagine^^Pstandard being enforced at many ofH<i1&ter } sites. For example, it is doubt^uLthat employers at greenhotjses where vermiculite is used as a soil .condi tioner run their businesses wlthjjKe asbestos standard F?vv employers besides those Involved, the initial stages off; vermiculi. processing know that vermiculite often contaminated with asbestdfT" . This is the case with many otner .(OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration got involved when workers in the vermiculite industry came under regulatory "32 of the 221 vermiculite worke tested had lung disorders normally i "protection" from asbestos dust. associated with asbestos exposure." . Prior to this involvement vermiculite workers were exposed to asbestos ' dust concentrations as high as 245 fibers per cubic centimeter (flcm3). The new OSHA standard of 2 f/cm3 is even recognized as too high. ' In 1979 the Consifmer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) acknow- ledged the contamination problem when they ordered & general study of the use of asbestos.In consumer products and*!pcluded "potting . material"' ftirmiculitet* among the : products to be tested. However, the scope of* the'study'Was later narrowedvVcrlnclude only products in whic^as^estos| is intentionally added. One of the first reported incidences " of asbestos-like health problems appearing among vermiculite work ers was in 1978 by O.M. Scott and ' Sons Co., a manufacturer of agricul tural chemicals. Workes at their Maryland fertilizer plant developed - lung disorders normally associated with asbestos exposure. Of 221 tested, 32 had disorders ranging from fibers in the lungs to bloody pleural effusions, with symptoms ranging from coughing, fatigue and chest pain to hypertension. The crucial point is that research on asbestos-caused cancer in labor industries using vermiculite as well, including construction workers, drywall installers, brick and stone masons, plasterers, insulation work ers', and anyone involved in commer cial agriculture. Why are employers and employees largely unaware of vermiculite's contamination with asbestos? OSHA's labeling regulations for asbestos,"... all (asbestos-contain ing) raw materials, mixtures, con tainers ..." covers vermiculite, but the regulation is self-service. Com pliance is voluntary as long as "... a manufacturer believes that the use atory animal* has shown that there is (handling, stqrage,.etc.) of a product DavePontzer, a recent graduate of no threshold level below which will not create' tlbet.levels above the Georgetown University,`just com- . exposure causes no effect. Therefore, OSHA staiiclard.*' Ev*n?this is ulti pleted an internship with th^ WaTSs% since no safe levels for atmospheric mately a ni^dbt point, since OSHA Project.-'Alice.Cave is a-researcher- concentrations of asbestos exist, nny stated ih April of 1980' that this withnan j-environmental consulting exposure will produce a percentage of firm. ~ cancers in those exposed. exposure standard is insufficient to protect workers' health,' December-]anuary 1983 EXPOSURE erndcullte next find* it* way into ne, Where it i* "(regulated." by he Federal Hazardooa SubAct givniCPSC the mandate ___ late (tazafds presented by the prc^nce or^usr of -toxic and other haeUdOus eubstancesr in the home. UhftQ&HA/they have-the authority 'tbdlan.Tegulate, orrequire labels on -product*. > >>. ^ ' s < s^tPSC hai already exercised this '`authority..with'respect to asbestos banning two consumer-products containing asbestos fiber) 'artificial ember*'/*hd 'spackling compound. Neither-isSassociated with 'the vermiculite industry. At that time CPSC went so far as to say that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos in consumer products, and that, "only banning these product'Can7adequately'prbtect the public from unreasonable risks'of injury associ ated with'them." As was-mehtioned earlief,5.CPSC began a^tfudy* of asbestos in consumer products Over three yfcari'ago, excluding prtjducts like*Verrnitii^l(.e which fcontfained asbestosas a contaminantl'To date, has been reported.*', ___C also has the aiitHbrity to juto content labeling of pt^dbcts. fd.nWiSw of EPA reports' ednfertiing therol$nificant levels^&f-cdhsutner etf^Sliire to-vermiculite? This ^tibn, ' at%hJ^Veryrlea8r> shouldthave been idakeri^some vjekrs jago.A Study p^ejjiml fo?Ef*X bylift (mJeJ^Bdent Vicgiilij*ba*ed consultiliaftTm makes lawiiand garden fertilizers each year, fitheddrtilizer is vermiculjte-based, estiipajedexposure levels to asbestos o&i.4J!Mg/mVand 2giug/m3 -could 'tThiliweight'method of measuring asbwtos exposure (ug/m^milligrams per^tphic`meter)`contrasts with the earUerWi<mf< method (f/cm^-fibers __ per cubic centimeter) in the same way that'a pound of eggs contrasts with a ^dofen^eggs. Unfortunately, the Vlrgi^niafetudy we refer to only used this j-vyeighi* method, and - it's" virtually Mftlpcpftble for us to correlate the two different systems with the informa tion4 we have on hand. Further, i'QSHA only uses the volume method yihfeits, asbestos standard.'. Suffice to say,'however,` thah as the;general -^rule fof thumbs regarding asbestos,, 'there is no safe exposure'level; indi-' 'cates these latter.figures using - the weight method are all to be consi dered. extremely hazardous. result from lawn treatment and gardening, respectively." The report goes on to estimate that 188,000 people a year are exposed to levels of asbestos as high as 13,600 ug/m^ during the installation of vermiculite attic insulation. 4,230,000 people live in homes insulated with vermiculite. Additionally, there are at least 3,000 owners of hobby greenhouses whose exposure to vermiculite should be comparable to that of a . greenhouse employee occupationally exposed. Anyone repotting their houseplant with potting soil contain ing vermiculite would be exposed to a small amount of asbestos fiber, as would people who handle kitty litter, barbecue base, or who put up their own drywall, plaster, etc. The consumer has no idea what's being thandled. None of these pro duct^, from attic insulation to kitty litter islabeled.CPSC apparently not being sure how to proceed. After the strong s.tand taken in re.spect (to artificial.gmbers and spackling com pound, i.e., no safe exposure level, this inaction is incomprehensible. The EPA has done extensive research into the problems associ ated Wjith asbestos contamination of vermiculite,' compiling a wealth of information on the subject. As yet they've done nothing with it, issuing no regulations or warnijijgsj It appears that since a safe lowerjimit for asbestos exposure cannot be found, the.problem is being covered up. How e|se can one explain that at least three,government agencies have been,,studying a known toxic substance, occurring in the market place, for at least five years, and not done so much as require that it be labeled. Another EPA report, also obtained through FOIA, frames the problem; "Although the quantities <of,as bestos released during end-use of vermiculite are small in comparison to the mine and workplace, the aggregate risk to the consumer of product end user may be large in view of the large number of people exposed. Moreover, users may be particularly vulnerable and unpro tected due to ignorance of the potential hazard." Using vermiculite in an enclosed area, such as an attic, greatly increases the exposure level to. asbestos fibers in the air. Or a garage., Or a basement. The point is clear,; workers and consumers are being exposed to a known hazard without the information to handle it safely,, tp, avoid it altogether. A* the EF , report point*' out^ "There are ad quatfr.iubstituteifcc?mot}uOfi t! usds of vermiculite*fifeTHjjxiuili ' were not available,'perhtytelIUl concrete and fiberglasstWeuld be t! most common substitutes."-' There the matter now stands. T1 tragic consequences of asbestc exposure are well established. Ve miculite is a known carrier > asbestos fibers. These microsco; fibers are released into the atmc phere from the time vermiculite miijed through its end use as consuhrer product. Yet onlyTti mining and processing of vermictili have come under any kind of reg lation. Upon leaving the processii plant, Vermiculite is unregulated, ai those handling it are exposed to toxic substance with no warning . to its presence. .| | Our Ihanla to Dr. Arthur Rohl. of t. * Environmental Sciences Laboratory at Mou Sinai School of. Medicine in flew pork, j providing us with criijcal dalft and recent st. dies, on . the asbestos "anlamihation '111'" *: fl!.1 3 -al i*V t weight aggregates age during shipf ^ppnttruction, agri^ulturalandhorti- Because of It/ cultural predjictapandjnsulation. xand: ability to at The building iqtfUstryusesverm^cu- ^vermicuiite is us/ lite in concretedplaster. wallboard, ^agncliltyre and ho/, ism by and similar,nval^lual..Vermiculite most wniliar as \ ; its versa- V concrete W.gighfeemdhfless than -*?%gfcnljadt hods lit&to between'' f regular sand-bSsediponefete-and fias Sreenh^tses, verm 'Fahrenheit ' excellent insulating properties. One '% a pjwi growing i p evaporate,- : inch of vermicuiite concrete has the 'expand into same insulating capacity as twenty anc flow-density inches of regular concrete. Mixed `v^extender for,pesticides^ jiculjlse can expand .* into plaster or wallboard, vermicuiite " ' dde. v' 'is ' [ln^eiit'^ipriginal tttdedyermfcu 111eis adds sound deadening aijd/fjte resistant properties. ' * ' , V"; > VermiculUe's .othenjininc inclHjje,'us.^as a;u|^jiri, " Jted and the heating- ^"Ai insulatiOn^VermiculitetiflWdntd plastjefftndtflbjj _ _ ose betweer**ttic.' joistsf^nd'into in bark culite's uses|| hollow bementbloctaltflirtsTbtiled as heat). neral categories: a pickaglftg^tfht to prevent break- % j/iical^i as ?ert urn* VERMICULITE/ASBESTOS FACT PACKET EPA TEST RESULTS--CLASSIFIED DATA RETRIEVED THROUGH FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS WHO IS EXPOSED? WHAT IS THE RISK? PROTECT YOURSELF-YOUR EMPLOYEES FROM ASBESTOS EXPOSURE 40 pp. $10.00 For immediate shipment, send check to: Exposure, 724 Dupont Circle Bldg. Washington, DC 20036 P ^Declares Amverco Head : ..To the editor: '' . This firm is general counsel for merican Vermiculite Corporation (^Amverco"). In that capacity, we ;have been asked by Mr. Leslie W. hornbury, President of Amverco, to provide you with information coni ceming allegations of the presence of asbestos fibers in vermiculite sold in the United States. Amverco is a K, marketer of vermiculite in the United ^States, with its sole source of supply -- being the Palabora Mines in South Africa. Please be advised that, although it , may be true that some vermfeulite contains asbestos fibers, the ver miculite sold by Amverco conclu sively does not contain any asbestos, -k For your information, we are fj enclosing a copy of an affidavit from f Eric J. Chatfield, Ph.D., head of the r Electron Optical Laboratory in the Department of Applied Physics of the ^-Ontario Research Foundation, and a report which is attached to that ^affidavit entitled "Examination of Vermiculite for the Presence of j Asbestos Fibres." This report was prepared in October of 1979 and *' proves that even after being subjected i' to the most intense possible scientific : scrutiny, it was impossible to find any ^asbestos fibers in the vermiculite * originating from the Palabora Mines ' of South Africa. In November of l981, suit was filed against Amverco r j[March/April 1983 EXPOSURE and others, Lloyd R. Gordon, tf nl. u__ s Amrricmi Vrrmiculitr Corp.. rt nl.. United * States District Court for the Southern j District of Ohio, Eastern Division, j l Case No. C-2-81-1406, alleging j f damages resulting from the sale of 1 ! vermiculite containing asbestos fibers. > Dr. Chatfield's 1979 report and his affidavit were submitted by Amverco in defense of the case. Since all of the vermiculite marketed by Amverco originates from the Palabora Mines, and since evidence submitted by Amverco was conclusive concerning the absence of asbestos, Amverco obtained an Order and judgment in this case dated March 17, 1983 from the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, in which the court ruled as a matter of law that Amverco could not be held accountable for asbestos poisoning in its sale of vermiculite. The court made a specific finding of fact that "the vermiculite produced and sold by the defendant to plaintiff's employer contained no asbestos and did not cause or contribute in any way to plaintiff's alleged injuries". A copy of the court's order is enclosed... Yours very truly, F. Edwin Hallman, Jr. For Decker, Cooper & Hallman A Professional Corporation 9.8 9 8^3 >3rJlTiP ~ ft* 3" w c* jr8 .B 9"0SSSC 2- p ft J$ 5' 8* >3 i5=3!* -jr< ** 3Z* ~V S'? ff a 82 n?ss S K f ** Ifo A .*2L s6, . < 29 :s: S. 3 51 5Sfsa <m 8 P 5* i.? 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I O L 33 6> 3 3f 3 " n0< ,^0" 5r-"r2-. a St. & O. _30 ft 5 o_ O -S_< '-3A**63D._ = < ** S"5" n 61 sill -- 61 7n in 2 Sft -3 ft) o^ 61 J A 361 -- > ? 3- S' 3A 3- n n3C 38 c0 r3; 2* isl? S 2 8 2 "O 'S * 24 ft* ft 3 %t ^3 01 =ro2 tSl Sr g-o? 3 -2- = SS" A 1 n* n PS s. - OA " S ce a. 5- f ft n 8 ft : 33 ^CE co'' * "5* "3 ^^ >*< er"3. o. 8 E St 8 ^ " ^ = S5 2^o-- S2,,^-8 ST s Ha- ft n v_> o3 a1 " r61 goo Z5 3 ft aa p= p5:2, a rt n ft fD tn > 3 ft n O ffi rt Cl Our Vermiculite is Asbestos-Free VERMICULITE MINERAL COMMODITY PROFILES MCP-19, AUGUST 1978 This curl cm report on vcrmiculitc h;is liccn prepaid! l>y the Hureau of Mines, U.S. Dcpaitmcnt ol ilic Intelior to: 1, Provide lire latest available data ami inhumation on verniiculatc. 2. 1 nviler comment, revisions. or additional inlormalioit on the subject. Please direct commoniiations to: t `..M. I'aliei miii lluieau ol Mines 2ID1 K. St. N\V Washington. IU. 20211 Telephone nmnher (202) 631-1202 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR A single copy of (hts publirjlion is avjjhhlr uitltoul cliar^c from: Publiralioi^ Distribution Branch; Bureau of Mines, 4800 Forbes Atenuc, Pittsburgh, PA. I 52 13 V1\RM ICULITE lly Stanley K. Haines' Vcrmicnlile. a micalike minetal with the unit|uc pio|x'rty ol exfoliating to a low-densitv, bulky material when healed, is widely used in the constI'uetinn industry. \'ermiculiie concrete is used for roof decks ami door fill wheir light weight, llieruial insulation, and acoustical prop erties are of particular importance. Veriniculite plasters and cements are employed mainlv for fircpiooliug pm poses. Ihev arc also valuable by teason of light weight, good 'resilient e. and good Ironding properties, l.ooselill vermii ulite is used to insulate walls and ceilings. I lie use of verutieulite as a thermal insulator has gained increasing importance in light ol the cum rut desire to save enetgy tlnongh liighet levels ol home insulation. I he maleiial also has utility in ngiirulture.'primarily due to its high absorp tive capacity. Vet mirulile'1 mines ate distant limn majoi inai ket centers, and their ate high tianspoiiation costs on shipping nude me to esh'hation plants near the point of end use. Another problem in the industrv is the limited mat ket lor the liner sized exfoliated vei mirulile. The outlook lor vermii ulite in the l Tiled States is good from both a supph and a demand point of view. The expected average annual growth late is .`LfiT with a loial demand in the year 2000 of 000,000 tons I otal de mand in 11)77 was an estimated 2*10.00(1 tons. Verutieulite ore reset ves `are thought to be adequate to meet future domestic needs. I he United States will remain sell-suflit ieni in vermieulilc at least into the next lemutv. I he world's hugest deposit is mjned nr.n I ihby. Mont., bv W. K. Urate X.- To V ei mil olile is also mined neat I'notee. SC. W. It. lb ate ,V To. in the I'niletl Slates and tin I'alaboi a Mining To. in the Republic ot South Aliita ate the major producers ol i rutle veitnii ulite in the world. Plans tC> develop vet tint ulite deposits near Louisa. \'a . have piogicssed; lonuneiiial linatuiug has been obtained, and constnution has begun for a mine. mill, and plant. ' Plnsii al inilist |lit>ii<ti of Non mi t.dlt* Nltn> t.th INDUSTRY STRUCTURl. Background World prndm lion, ttearlv all ol which is .supplied by the United Stales and the Republic of South Africa, was insignificant until alter Woi Id War 11. Vcrmiculitc was fit si named and described in 1821 by Thomas II. Webb horn an occurielite he found near Wort ester. Mass. Manv ot current es ol sennit ulite weie stiltsecpicttllv tlistoveied. and beginning in D.llfi, Denvci Mining & Manulai tut ing To. lor sevetal vents mined and marketed vet mit ulite undci the name ot lung ash from a deposit in the Tune! mining district. Thallee Touitiv. C olo. The exlolialed \ei inii ulite was gtouutl and used lor vat ions det ot alive pm poses. Die huge deposit ol vermii ulite in the Uaiuv l.'teek district neat l.ibhv, Mont., was discov ered by accident in IO|0 by K. N. Alley, who was scan long old prospects in the at on loi vanadium minerals. While inspecting a tunnel, he 'noticed that a caudle (lame caused Hashes of a miealikf tiiinetal to swell anti change color. I he miiieial piovrtl to be vet mil ulite. anti Mr. Aliev and othets iihoi pointed ihe /.onolile To. to develop the deposit. Ptodutlion on a small stale began in 11)21. Lot manv yeats, the Rainy (beck district was the onlv major source ol veriniculite in the wot Id. In the inletwar years, small-scale ptodnetion stalled in the l.asicm States, litst in I'emtsv Iv ania. then in North (i.imliua. but bv I'.lltt total annual ptodutlion bad leached onlv 22.1)00 tons, still mosllv limii Montana. I lie /.onolile (in. was aii|iiitetl by W. R. Time Jv T.o. in 100T A group ol deposits near Lntnee, S.T.. lias been vvotked since I!) 17. Small tonnages have been pinduccd in T.oloi.ielo. t.eoigia. Not t h Tatnlina. I exas. and Wyc'mting. and deposits have been investigated in several other Stales. Tommetcial production in South Alrirti be gan in IDIfi licnii a huge deposit at I'alaboi a in 2 MIKKKAI. COMMODl l'Y PROFILES Table 1.--World vermlcullte production, 1977, and capacity, 1977, 1978, and 1980 (Thousand ShO't ionjit . h'0hlC1>pn n 197' North Amanca United Slals____ . . Africa: RapuWiC of South Africa ... Ra*t of worW'.................................. . 359 250 20 World total .................. ... ^25 Capacity 19V 9/p 1H0 425 410 525 260 260 300 25 2S 50 710 7*5 675 Esttmaia. 1 Eiduding contrary controttod oconomios northeastern Transvaal. \'<'i mirulile li;is been found also in Kt-nva, Tanzania. Uganda. Snttlhcrn Rhodesia. Atgenlina. bia/il. C.anada. Chile, India, Australia. Japan, Korea, China, and the Soviet Union. Size and Organization Table 3.--Domestic use pattern tor vermlcullte <PreHl Use U'**TfpfiAt*d Eio*su,'1 L 0''we gM jggitrqAies ., Pramugg ... ................................ .......... Ihoipi.i*1 r>tu*aion Lcosebii.................................................... Bir^k .................................................. Pacing.................................................... Telai ................................................... .......... Agriculluia Nonetritura and SOU conditioning ____ Forldizor camar...................................... . Total .............................................................. M'scabaneous ................... Grand total ...................................................... 1976 8 1 15 43 ts 6 31 14 t 15 3 100 1977 7' 26 .1 16 45 15 16 31 14 1 15 2 100 * Lass than V unit In I*>7~. the primary domestic producers ol crude vcrmiculite were the Constim lion I'tnducis Division, \V. R. (.rare & Co., width npn ales a large mine neat l.ibliy. Mont., and a group of smaller mines near T.notee. S.C.. and Patterson Vcrmiruliie Co.. Knoree. S.C. F.xlolialed tertnic uliir was ptodined at ahonl 51 plants in 29 Stales.in 15)77. South Catolina. California. Texas. New Jersev. and Florida supplied 4!) pereeut ol the total. W. R. (hate K- Co.. the leading producer ol crude tnmitiilite. operated 110 exfoliating plants in 2 1 States. Most exfoliating plants ate small, and o\ei half produce less than 5.000 tons each ol expanded vermirulile aunuallt. lire following gives the approximate si/e distiihution by ton nage lor the inilustix: Tons produced Less than 5.000 ............ 5.000- 10.000............................. 10.000- 20.000 20.000- 50.000 Total .................................. Njrr.te' Of o'an's 39 21 1 1 51 W. R. (hate Nr Civ is an inlet n.uinnal indus trial comem will) ehcmital. umsumei punlm ;. anti naimal tesourir interests. Vet mil nine is a small part nl its t.>l.11 Inisiness. I in mliei exloli.ilors. \emm nine is genet, ills the maim pail tl the Inisiness Snmt' ttimpantes .ilsn expand pet lilt-. I he tilltet majtn untld pitulntei t>! tintle set micnlile is Palalrnra Mining Civ. a membei til the Rin Vintii /mi Cutup, with a mine in Fast li.nisva.il. Kcpdhlii ul Soiilli \liit.i \n alliliate. Ametitan Vnmii uliir ( nip ul \t Ittltta. (in.. tlist i ilniles South Aliitan tintle set tnit ttlile in the United Slates anti Canada. In F.nmpe. sales ate handled In Mantlm.d. Ltd., of London. W in Id vertmt nlite production ami t ap.icily ait' shown in tahic 1. Marketed Products T.xloiiaifd vet mit iilitc is packed in 4-t:uhitloot sacks lor shipment or used at the exfoliat ing plain in pit-paring premixed products. It is marketed in dilicrcnt si/c ft actions according tn use. USKS T.xioliation rumens truth' sennit ttlile to a piodutt that is mtv liglii weight. nom nmlnistihle. lire Mowing. insoluble. chemically inert, lesilient. and nonabiasive. It is a good thetmal insulatoi and lias high atlsnt bahility loi lluirls. These tpialities marie exfoliated vermiettliie melnl in t nnsintc lion, agtit ulttire. and other iniliisti ies. Tiitn to the end ol Wot Irl Wat II, its main use was as a llicini.il insulatoi ill the building intlusitt. Altei the uai its very low tleiisiit and good insulating propeittes suggesietl its use to trplate santl in lightweight i out tilt's anti pi.islets. Lain die potential of its iiu muhmiibilm began to be leali/etl in lite h.Minis. anti mini' it-ti-iill\ its estellenl adsoipiitiii t bat at let isi it s wtit iilili/fd in theniit al pii>t rssnig. wain anil ail pin ilit aliou. and oibn ate.is lls use t.otge lias expantled tonsitlnablt o\n the |iast `2a tints. F.ntl-use ronsu in pi it it i <1.ti ii appeal in table 2. Light w eight t out i elf made ol I i lie-si/e ex I ollaletl st't tnit niilc and poitlaiul innnit is used in l.tigc cpi.unities in w eight sat ing tonsliuttiou w litac tlinmal insulaiinn anil acoustical <{ti.ilitit's aie ol particular imporlanttv Vrrmi- VKUMIC Iil.l I K 3 cttliit** rnncietc is used Im tool dn ks. >I;11>s-111 prefabricated panels. ;iml other put- poses. Premixes arc used in huge tonnages as mat ing on Fireproof slim itual steclwmk as wi*ll as In deaden sound, seal nil ninisimc and iondeusalinn. and pmvide decniat'nr ii Mines, mainly nn wallbnard and (ninit'lc walls and ceilings. Yermiciilite plasters, made with gypsum nr pnrdand cement, aie spiavcd nnin sieel m concrete structuial members Im I u cpt oof ing purposes and In i educe weight, thus sating on inuudalinn and nlliei MiiiiIiii.iI costs. 1 heie are also sound deadening and acoustical pi operlies. I'liese plasters ate also used lor linislicoal plnsteiiiig of walls and ceilings, hut de mand lor this purpose has hern (til hy the change Irmn lalli and plaster walls In diywall (onstrm lion. Yermictdilc plasters adheie hel ler in use than plasieis made with alieinale lighlweighl materials such as expanded clavs, slags, shales, and perlite owing to the giealci resiliency ol vcrmiruliie. Also.- iis Hat. laminar structure piovides good initial adhesion. Coarser gtades ol expanded vetmit ttlite are used as looselill insulation in hollow masourv walls and hetween joists in attics ol homes and otliei >(t'tintires to reduce heal loss in winiei and keep the interior cooler in summer. As looselill nr with various hiudcis, vet mictilitc is used to covet molten metal, its beds lot ship ping hot ingots lor hundteds ol miles, to cover steam pipes, boilers, and hot lines lot tianspmi of chemicals such its molten suilui. in dotthlesliellcd tanks lot cryogenic applications, lot pac kaging and shipping to pi event breakage, lot insulating rcl i acini ics. lot mold linings, and in I nitric ants lotc\t i usiott and chawing. Expanded vermiculite's high sutiace area and high adsorption capacity lot liiptids and gases has found many agrirnlimal and chemi cal applications, particularly lot linn gtades. In agriculture, vermiculite is employed as a soil conditioning agent, plant growing medium1', chemical Fertilizer carrier, pac king matetial For nursery stock, earlier and extender bn pesti cides and herbicides, and annealing agent Im leitilizei.s and lor encapsulating seeds. Another itgt ieiiltural use is For poult tv littei. Yet mien lite's ion-exchange rapacity has Ion ml applna (ions in chcinisiis inc hiding watei pm if i< amm. Its use as an adsorption medium has im lulled sit 11 nr rceosctv and pollution cmittoi in snlitn dioxide stack gus technology. Otliei uses lot the fittet giacle ate as an ingiedient m irliai lot v products ,iml as a lillet Im paints, pkistiis. and i uhliet. Uncxpamled vei mil uliie is lepmted to h.nr onlv a leys uses, suc h ;is in muds Im oil-well (hilling and as a tiller in liie-tesistanl wallboard. R F.S F. R V F..S- R F.SOU RC KS I he major domestic teserves ol veimiiulile lie ill one veiv huge deposit neat l.ibby, Mont., and in srvetal imicli smaller deposits, catch containing 20.000 to 400.000 tons of ore. in the Eunice and F.noree-Waldicp districts of South Catnlina. Deposits ol economic signifi cance range from about 2f> to PS percent contained vei iniculile. Ihe si/e ol the l.ihbv deposit has |>een icporlcd to be siifliiieul lot SO yeats at the ptesent talc ol mining. Iinpmlant deposits have been located in central Yiigiuia, in Louisa (anility. A siiluuarginal reset ves total, recoverable at L.r> times the (intent mst. has been estimated (2)1 as 2 to !l million Ions in South Carolina, Ninth Caiolina, Texas. Wyoming, Colorado ami Nevada. De posits h.iyc been Found in Arkansas, Ceorgia. California. Washington, and Oregon. It is likely that another huge deposit similai to the l ibby deposit may lie (listovrted in the United Stales, most probably in Colorado m Montana. Hypo thetical. smaller, yyoikahle deposits of' the F.noree type probably exist in the ltiuri Piedmont region limn South Cuioliua to I'etmsylvania. A domestic reserve ol 100 million tons appeals to he a (onset vative estimate. The sennit uliie deposit at I'alahma in north eastern I ransvaal I'lovime in South Africa is one ol the world's hu gest. Rcsci ves in South Africa ate estimated to he apptoximatelv 7.rt million tons. Large deposits are also known (/) to exist in the Soviet Union in the Kola Penin sula. the Dials, and the southeastern edge ol the Ukrainian shield Deposits are being mined in Argentina, ilia/il. China. Korea. India, Kensa. and I an/ania. lit general, at least in the mat ket-conliolled economies, exfoliation quality is interim to that of matrii.il mined in South Africa and the United Stales. World teserves, other than South Afiican, and domes tic reserves and ext hiding the initially con tinued economics, weie eslimaled to he lf> million tons. F.xloliatcd South African malciia! is gninally coarser and less dense than exfol iated D.S malrii.il ami llinrliy lumr suitable Im l<ii iscI ill insula* ion. I able it iniii.niis a hi irl assessment ol win Id r n mic uliie icsmmes. Ccology I he geiilngii lelatimis ol all types ol vet mii ulilr deposits suggest that pyioxeues {diopside 'irib'IZ'll Minn Ills ill |l.nrill||M>'< t e|( I H.lti Ills in iltr list ol n IrtriNrs it Im el ||| tr|Miit I 1 -l. \ I I I 1 I 'I 4 MINt.KAl. COMMODITY PKOHI.K.S Table 3--World vermlculile resources (MrfHon stKKl tO*M 1 1' Reserves resources resources North Artorrco United Stales .......... Africa* ReputAe of South Africa ___ nest of fforM1 too ?s-ioo 125-?C0 :5 La'^e lerge is large ll'S* World total' ............................ . 190 Large Laige ' Eictusrve cH centrally controlled economies ;iikI augilc), amphibnles (hornblende and ticmoiite), and olivine, in ultnimalic: rocks, boll) igneous and iiictanint phic. were fir si altered In solution and volatiles front intrusive syenites, earbonaiites. and pegmatites, Imming biotite. plilogopilc, serpentine. ami t biotite. Supergene alteration by circulating ground waters later removed the alkalis, redistributed magne sium. and added ll2(> as interlayer water mol ecules, lo lotm verinirulitf. Attessorv niiuetals in the deposit include i|uaitz. feldspar. apatite, corundum, chlorite, asbestos, talc, and clav. Biotite is the most common patent mineral. A similarity of the biotite and veimieiiliic crystal structures permits molecular interlayeriug in a scries that extends from pure biotite though .1:1 biotile-vermitulitr to pure vcrmieuliie. Va rieties in the series eoniainiitg Id to la percent vet inictiliic ate t ailed livdt ohiotitc. The world's hugest vetmicttliie deposit at I.ibby. Mont., is a zoned-pvroxenile pinion of Cretaceous age that cuts lYccamlniau sedimen tary rocks. I hr pillion has a coie of hjotitc in a mass of biotite pyroxenite. A shell ol magne tite pyioxenite intituled the /one of weakness at the contact of the biotite pvroxenile with the count! v rocks. A yoimgct mass ol svenite cut both the ntagnetile and the biotite py t oxeiiiic. and alkalic syenite dikes i in the biotite con-. Biotite in the biotile pvinxenite, and to a small extent in the iiiagnetiie pvmxenue. was alien'd to by drohioiitc and vermii ulile: tlie biolile ol the dense core is virtnallv miulictcd. With the majoi exception ol the deposit at I.ibby, almost all the wot Id's \crmiculitc depos its appeal to be in rocks ol I'rc-c ambi ian age. I lie oilier large deposit in ihc wnild is at l'alabora. South Africa in I'tec ambi ian tucks of a similar petrological suiie as those ol the I.ibby. Mont., deposit. I lie most utimeious domestii deposits. Inn also those with the smallest amounts ol veimi < ulile. ate in ulnani.dic Invited im i.imm pint lock. c bat ac tei isiic alls ml not He s< bisis. and .u e c ill In )iegtuaiiles. I be deposits aie onl\ a lew leel thick, although Thcv may be scwial bundled leel long. Ore.1 comein usualb langes j from a few hundred to several thousand tons, l'.xamples ol these deposits are those being mined in the I noiee distiiet ol South C.aiolina and most ol the deposits in Cnlmado, Wyo ming. and I exas. 1 lie third geologic type ol domestic deposit eompiises the uliiainafic intrusives. such .is. ehtniirx and iinzonctl pvinxeniies and petidolites, that ate cut In pegmatites and syenitic or granitic intrusive- incks. F.xamples are deposits in the Blue Ridge Mountains tegion ol the I'niled Stales. In these deposits, vcrmieuliie Ivpicallv occurs in lenses that are as much as 4 to f> Icet thick and .">0 to (>() leet long. A lew lenses arc 20 feet thick and mote than 100 feet long. I lie main iiiletia Ini a rominei(ial deposit aie exfoliating c apability . vcimic ulile content, and si/e . It must contain little or no biotite and he in good sized Hakes, with few fines. The deposit should contain at least !f0 percent veimiculite and prcletahly mote than fit) pcicent veimiculite. TKCHNOLOGY Vcrmieuliie is-a hydrated magnesiutn-aliiminum-iron sheet silicate of variable composition. The ciystal stiuctme is similar to that of biotite hut sepat aled by a double layer of walri molecules. In biotite, potassium ions occupy interlayer sites. The electronic chaigcs ol these ions help to hold the layers together. In vermiciilitc, oulv some of the sites are occupied, and these cmlv by magnesium. F.xpandcd veimiculite is icmipletely iniomhustiblc and ictains its thermal insulating value to 2.1100 F. For the higher tetnpetatmes. such as lui use in liic walls, in the shipment of hot steel ingots, or in t elt actoi ies. use ol a Inter maiciial has the advantage ol liettet thermal reflee lion of ladialcd heat. ('.mile veimiculite denotes the mined cue that has been belief ic iated ami sized. The exfoliated pinduci is also called vcrmiculite. The chemical composition ol nude vcrmiculite and expanded veimiculite is identical except lot 11 if watei coiHenl. 'I lie' walei content of nude vet in ir ulile tanges linm -I lo 14 percent. 1 lie pi open tv ofTxinliniion. which causes hulk lo ini lease linm H in 12 limes ami yields a pmcliici willi a density ol 4 lo II pounds per cubic (not, is dependent upon intivcisinii ol pail ol the walei ol Imitation lo steam, which loices the laminae ap.ul at light angles lo the cleavage planes to loitn an ac c ot dnmlike pioclin l. f.x lolial ion nccuis over a lem]>ei ai ill e aiige of Sim0 to 2.000 F and is c ompleied in a tew seconds. If held too long above 1.100 F. all of the walei ol c rvsialli/alion is losi ;uid the io VhUMICt'U 1 h material becomes brittle and xt umblrs in powdot, thus losing must id its met olmss. I In light-brownish-yellow. tlat k-v clh>w is It- hum n. greenish, 01 almost black culm ol it tide vriminililc changes to a gold, goltb n blown. oi bronzr color. often with a mctallit liistei. din ing exfoliation. Chemical composition is of little value in dcteimining the expandability ol vetmiciiliie. and ex foliation tests provide tlie mh satisfarlorv evalua tion. Hie material can In- identified in piospciiing by heating with a candle flame or even a match. Mining Mining in Montana', South Caiolina. anti South Africa is by open pit methods. Removal of overhui den is usually accomplished by tt ac tor powered scrapers. The technique in Mon tana hits been to proceed (torn the lop down over a wide area, with several levels active simultaneous!v in benches 14 to Hi feet tleep with toimcrting haulage lamps. The mining is complicated by the lat k ol consistent v in the grade (si/e) ol vet tnit ttlite I tom plate to plate within the mine. In South Caiolina. the prac tice hits been to snip around each ote Imtlv anti expost' it tut till sides. In South Alt it a. several bent lies, each lit leet tleep, have taken the mine down to a phlogopitr Hoot at l!br> feet. The vet iniculitc ore is usually soli enough It) he dug without blasting. Large dikes oi harien host rock require fragmentation by drilling and blasting prior to disposal at waste sites. Beneficiation Techniques used at l.ibln are a i omhinaiion of drv and wet processes using ( rushers, screens, jigs, and spirals. South ( atolina ote is henelit iitletl hv a wcl-t oticcult aim piotess in cluding washing, crushing, table dotation, and screening, l he new plant at Libby, Mont., reportedly also uses onlv wet-benefit iation techniques, partly to alleviate dust ha/atrls. Centrifuges and t otal v divrts genet alls ate used to remove moisture after v\ci hotelii ialiott. I lie belief it ialcd piodutt. tailed t i title veimitulile, is shipped pi iot to .expansion be cause ol the huge bulk of the exloliatctl pmtluct. Sized crude vet tnit ulite is thoppetl inntimi- f)usl\ thmugh a gits- oi oil-litetl vt-tlital Int- lacc at a controlled rate. The expanded ptotl- ut t is tliaiMi mil ol die luinaic hv a sutliou Ian anti inln a tlassilici system in t ollt-t l die vctuuiiihlc product, icuinve ext essive lines, anti allow disthaige oi rclativelv t lean gases lo die almi>s|iheie. I lie liiiuate temperature is1.1)1 ltd in `Tiltin'5 L with a retention time of 4 to S set mills. Lxfnliated vermiculite is graded by \V. ,R. (hate on the basis ol bulk density and size as Inllnws: Grade t 23 Density (pounds oer cubic foof) 4 to 7 4 to 8 5 to 9 6 to 10 8 lo 11 U S Sieve Site V.-16 4-30 8-ICO 16-100 30- Thc American Soeietv for T esting and Ma terials has established specifications for veimi tulile aggregate lot concrete (ASTM C-3T2) and plaster (AS'LM C-;Lr>) and for vermiculite loosefill insulation (AS'LM C-516). Research Recent furnace designs pet tnit a shorter residence time to reduce' material losses as f ines and to imptove the toughness of the product. Increased utilization has been realized for for merly .discarded fines in lightweight aggre gates. fireproofing of high-rise buildings, and agricultural needs. Major producers are devel oping new beneficiating techniques for the recovery of smaller size fractions and treatment of ores with lower mineral content. In turn, intimity has nutted to greater dependence on computet let hniques to develop the most eco nomic mining and beneficiation plan to best fit an ote deposit. Improved insulating and lit rpt noting vcimiculitc-rout.lining materials and methods of application were developed lot use in steaminjection oil well casings, ingot-cooling beds, building construe lion, and firelneaks lor seal ing olT undcrgiuimtl mine fires (/). further use was made of exfoliated vetmiculite's high-adsorption chat aclerislic to re move oil 11 out a water sut lare. lo ptiiily waste waiei. and to putily ait in mines. Canadian icscaiih revealed (ft) that cxlnliaied vetmiculile was partieulatlv effective in purifying air in nutlet ground mines by preferentially filtering out dust p:i i ti< les and t at Ion (laugh I r t s. Imptovrd let hniques wete developed for ini oi porating rhemital lettilizets oolo the sur face of expanded vermiculite or into the inters tices of a vevmiculile-hased composite material. 6 MINKKAI. llOMMOmi'Y I'KOHI-KS VERMICUIITE SUPPIY-DCMANO SHAIIONSHIPV W6 IHOUJANO |MOl fONt Of CtUOf V(uiCUltK WOltD tlOOUCIION I nun SI MMNtHU wiio s4m; ttnptc o SOUin 4IMC4 - ns WOtlO TOIAl SMI 9 ;cniV:.tr IIH nouih* stv.*s --r-n Sl**lUS HIT i ishimii SC SIMOMO nusiuu C:ASS*C*tm Fiuitic \SiippK-iliMiiam! iiliilimuhips Ini \rt mil ulilc. l*J7C>. wnomtio Mtf.L >01 sic !; IIIOIMUO 4&AR1&4M n U. K MMJUIIN "8ir!3>'~ 01M| IUIIAU Of MINIS US CMMIIMINl Of I Ml INrdlOl SUriM,V-l)KM AN 1) RKLA I IONSI Ill'S Components of Supply World ptncluclion of vertniculitc has risen from 371,000 ions in 1007 in an estimated 620.000 mils in 1977. During this same peiiod domestic production increased from 2.r:YU(M) tons in 1907 to the lecoid high nl 30.'),000 Ions in 1973 and then dropped to OaO.OOO tons pi 1977. In 1977 the United States and South Africa produced 97 percent nl total wot Id production. In 1977 imports provided about 10 percent of the total U.S supply. Ovet the last in yc-ats, imports have tanged Irom a low of 0,000 inns in 1969 to a high of 42,000 loos in 1971. Smith Africa has been the source of the imports. industry slocks in table 4 and ligtoc I air estimates. Distribution of Supply vet mil tilite was exported to Canada for exloliation ami cuusumplinu. The sin plus of 60,000 tons in 1977 repre sents the dillerente between total U.S. supply and the sum of U.S. repot ted demand, exports, and industry stock. The surplus nitty be attrib uted to water, unusable fines, and grit that accompany the ore. Supply-demand relationships for 1967 thiniigli 1977 appear in ttthle 4. Most of the crude me mined in the Republic of South Alt tea is exported through the port of Maputo in Mozambique to Frame, the Federal Republic nl'Ccrmanv. Italy, the United Kingdom, and other F.uropean count ties, as well as to the Toiled Slates, Canada, Australia, and Japan. (Quantities nl crude ore are ex ported Irom the United States to Canada. Very little exfoliated vetmitulitc enters world tiade because nl high fieiglit costs on bulky ex panded material. Substitutes Estimated domestic demand lot exfoliated vermiculile in 1977 was 2<S0.000 tons. Exfol iated vermiculile lot use as lightweight aggiegate reeptired If) pnmii ol the total demand and was followed h\ thermal iiisul.it 1 <> 11, 32 percent: agriculture, la peuetti: and otltct uses, 2 percent. 1 lie 1 cmaimng 20.000 tons of the total dbmand was henelicialed vermiculile ore that was sold or used without exfoliation. Over the last 10 'ears, cxpoils have moved. Irom 24,000 tons in 1967 to about 40.000 tons in 1977. with a high of 40.000 tons in 197,r> and a low of 22,000 tons in 1970. The etude Expanded petlite is a dose substitute lot vermiculile in very lightweight concrete and plaster aggregate. Vermiculile or perlite is used when the advantage of lower density more lit,01 I1.1l.m1 es iimsidet alious ol Inwet cost and greater sitmtui.il slienglli adtieved with smh lightweight, but somewhat licaviet. concrete aggregates as expanded clay, shale, or slate. Alternate materials lor looselill insulation in clude lihet glass, slag wool, polystyrene loam, polvut ethane loam, and wood fiber, milled newsprint, or wood pulp Healed with fireicsisianl chemicals. These materials have excel- VK.UMtCCl.l IK Table 4.--Vermlcullte supply-demand relationships, 1967-77 rTf.0u*,.4''d S*iCM ICX*S| 967 World production: United SlBWS.......................................................... RcslOt world................................ Total....................................... 25* 116 371 Componertsof US supply Oomosiic production.................................. ,,......... .Imports1 .................................. ............................. industry stocks. Jan. 1*.......................................... 225 16 7 Total U S supply .............................................. DtstritHft>on of U S supply Industry starts. Oac 1* ...................................... Exports1 .................................................................. US demand................................................ Apparent si*rptus( * ). daflctii P.......................... 278 7 24 130 j 67 U.S demand pattern. Crude*................................................ !................................ Exfoliated. Aggregate ...................................................... 77 Thermal insulation................................. 65 Agriculture ...................................................... 31 Other ............................................................ 7 TotalUS primary demand' . 180 1968 1969 iW 1?9 419 290 11 7 308 7 ?5 *63 310 iM 464 31C 6 7 323 7 27 250 39 -- 85 no 85 85 34 37 9 18 ?>1 2SO 1970 1971 2f5 J 301 *41 153 426 454 265 301 12 18 77 304 326 77 22 29 221 209 54 01 89 84 88 79 31 31 13 15 221 209 1972 337 175 512 337 26 7 370 7 31 247 85 .... 104 84 52 7 247 1973 1974 3GS 34 1 inn ?3 55) 554 365 ' 341 30 42 77 402 390 7T 36 44 ?yi 279 166 1 60 5 137 141 9? 80 50 47 14 6 293 279 * Estimated. 1 imports irom the Republic of South Atnca * Exports to Canada ' Primarily grrt and water losses during exfoliation * Bancficiaiad vprm+cutita ore. but not exfoliated * Oata may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding 1976 330 24 7 577 330 33 7 370 20 45 245 * 60 10 117 74 38 6 246 1976 304 262 566 304 40 20 364 20 41 254 46 20 no 79 39 7 256 / 1977* 359 270 629 359 40 20 419 20 40 300 *59 20 135 95 45 5 300 Irnt thermal properties, Inn the Uammahiliiy standards lor sonic have no) been lulls estab lished. In agricultural uses, substitutes include peat, perlite, sawdtist. hark, straw and other plant materials, and .synthetic products. These mate rials are complementary in some uses. For example, vcrmiculitc protects the inoisiute con tent of peat-soil mixtures and assists in initial wetting of the peat. economic: factors anij fromt.ms The average selling price of crude vcrmiuililc was $13.17 per ton f.o.h. mine in 1 *lfii. vising In an estimated Sfil.Otl per ton in 1 F>77. In lertns of constant 1 `>7(i dollais the inn ease was 7o percent from $28.00 in iproi to S-10.00 in 1977. The average value of the exfoliated material, f.o.b. exfoliation plant, it in eased liom $00.93 per Inn itt 19f>(> to $170.00 pet ton in 1977. This represents an itu tease* of 27 pen cm in terms of constant 197(i dollars ($l20.r>l> pet ton in I9.r(0. I lie tpianlil) and tost ol taptial in cilctl lot expansion of lacililies is of continual concein to tmnpamrs in the indusilv. I he new mill of W. R. (tract* ft*' Co. at l.iltbs. Mont ., was reported to cost $7 million, or $7,000 pet ion of hulk-court* nil ale tlailv capacitv I'alahoia Mining Co. model tii/etl anil inti cased its mill aittl exfoliating caparin In 2f> proem at a teporletl eosl ol $3.f) million I* xlolialing plants Table 5.--Time-price relationship lor vermicullle Year 1956 1957 I960 1959 1960 1961 1912 1053 1964 1965 1966 1967 1908 19C9 1970 1971 197? 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 Averaga arvHi.il prices. dollars per short ions Actual prices Based on constant 1976 dollars $13 17 14 15 H M 89 1562 16 76 16 06 1501 1599 >7 91 18 91 1951 1900 21 95 22 70 23 91 21 01 25 93 ?9GA 41 70 46 16 *51 76 S28 00 29 11 20 91 29 50 30 42 32 36 30 45 29 54 29 41 32 23 32 95 33 02 31 75 33 05 33 35 33 30 32 11 32 70 34 10 43 03 46 16 *49 02 * Estimated ate small, anti the Imnacc is of simple design. A new exfoliating plant at i'nmpann ltear.h, Ida., uiili an estimated annual tnpai ily of ft.OOO to 10.000 tons, was reported to tost $.r>.r)0,000 m 1972. Railioad height tales ate high, and shipping (osis lot etude veimuuiitr sometimes exteetl the mine value. 'I he tail-height tale lor ship ping sennit iilile Irom Montana In the Atlantic ami (hill toasts is eompatahle with the lionspmiatioti <ost (tom South Attica. This makes it rtnnnmit lot some Sonlli Ah nan i t mlc to entei the totmltt. Most of this sennit nlitr is 11 .unshipped In tail ot liaigt* to inland points. * i i j '; i : I '.S ii ; , .'V 'Vi J "t >. M ' A i 11 J 8 MISKKAI. COMMODliV 1'UOHI ,KS Owing to I lie t > 111 k ualiiie <>l exfoliated vcrmiculitc and high tt attspnt tatinn rusts, ex foliating plants arc located neat matkets. Federal lax laws allow vet mil ttliir pincluicts a hi pel (IMIt depletion allow.mi r. lint tnrxtrrd 50 percent of lift income. I lie I'uitrd States lines not have a tarill mi etude vcnniruliir imports. Ol'ERA UNO FACTORS AND I'KOUI.EM.S Flic venniciiliie mining indusitv has the usual ecological pinhlcms ol quaitvitig npetalions ill that oveihuiden imisi Ik' disposeil ol carefully and consideration must lie given in the final disposition of the mine site. The nuniher of mines is small: therefore, only limited surface areas aie distuihrd. I heir is no effluent from vcnmculitc milling plants, liecause all process water is rerviled from seiiling ponds. Dust generated at.exfoliating plants is collected hy enclosed .collection systems. A tendency to convert front tin to wet bcneliualion Icchmques has reduced the dlist problems. The industry does not pose tiny seven- emit onmental piohlcms. A plan to bring a gtonp ol deposits in l.om-a County ; Vn., into pioduciion has met a number of challenges that have delated construction ol a mine, mill, and plant. The development of the site has been challenged on the gimnjds that such an activity would cause "sight pollu tion" in an area that has been deflated a National llisiotic l.aodtnatk. Additionally, the Secretary of the litietim has accepted scenic easements lor vat ions properties located within the historic landmark. 1 he easements covet property near I lie vet tnic tilile properties hut do not include anv ol the pmpnsecl mining sites. The easements give the Depat tine ni ol the interior legal tights similar to those ol the actual ptoperty owners. The Stale of Virginia has issued all the neccssaty permits to allow \iigima Yi-imiiiitilc, lllc., to begin mining. I hr iomp.no has obtained a commcicial npeiatious loan ol SI million to develop their Kid-act e 11 ,n t and plans to begin in l!>7K W. R. t.iacr < n. owns c olisidtM able at tragi in the suin' aira. Init has animumcd no iininrcli.iie plans to develop a mine and mill. Lack obc niiuncic ial tec hnii|ucs ol separating vrimiiulitc and hioiite lias liuidrird the lull use ol some cues. An oprialing pinhlcm lias been the production cd excessive lines in giinel- i"K Dining exloliaiion. nnsalahlr quantities ol minus 100-nti.sli m i mu nine air piodmid il the malriial lemains Ion long in the Itnnarchot /tine. I Iteie ate only two major wot Id suppliers of etude vetmicitliir and one major domestic supplicM Ibis si unci itnrs causes an unstable etude supplv lot exloliatoi s. I hr jitilicipal domestic mine is in an atea ol severe wrntcis that could inlet t upt* t he normal How clientele mm tniculitr to rxlolialnt s. Alicnil 2*.Lm wotkrts VMM e einplciyed at domes tic vet tniculite mines and mills in HI77. Several bundled additional employees operated verntit uliie exfoliating plants. OUTLOOK Supply Domestic supplies ol etude vet tnic ulile should tall short of meeting t c-quit cmrnts to the year 2000. Alter 5 ycais ol decline, pioduclion has increased to neat the term'd level of !(>7:L I'loductioii must grow at about !.!> per cent per year (Irmu 107(i) to reach the cstitii.tied mOO.000-ton level liv I'.IHu. Most til the additional malriial will coiur limn inc teased |iMidui lion Iiv \V. R. ( bac r X,- (in. and Itnm the new capacitv ol Viiginia Yet micttlite. I.id., in Louisa (anility. Ya. Imports from South Africa will comiime to furnish part of the total supply. A krv atea ol concern is the availability ol laiget si/ed ni.iu ii.il, l liesr guide's ul vettnii ttlite ore nr irregularly thnitighom the domes tic deposit, making it difficult to ensure acces sibility ol 'adequate quantities. South Africa has more of the huger material, hut tccmeiiiig it is mote, expensive, which will hamper future development. Demand Fnt the 10-vcar pctitid I*.*7(V-RF> domestic demand lot vennit ulile- is expected to grow at an avcuige annual tale ol 7.H peicetn. Ibis gives a I OH.5 probable demand ligutc ol utiO.OOO tons. I he demand lot the t esi of the wot Id is expected In diaw even with ILS. tie to.uni liv I'IS.m, (mmol.ilor demand llnough IOHm lot the win Id is estunaiecl at li,020,000 ions. Domrsiir demand is cxpci ted to taper oil altri IOH.m to give an ovetali 1070-2000 growth tale ol !i ti pcMienl. I he* 2n(IO deniand will hr about ('110,111)0 tons with a 21-vcar cumulative total ol 10 million tons. The t est-ol-t lie-wm Id total lot 2000 is (iOO.OOO ions, the same as domestir demand. VKRMICl'l.ITt. 9 Tnbla 6.--Summary ol foipc.ists of U.S and ri>':l-ol-world vrnnlculile demand, 1976-7000 , I v,,| . , |C1. rre Unflnd SlM - Toti .............................. CumuUlrv*.................... Real of w*<J1 Total ............................ Cumulative................ World ' TeW Cumulative 255 200 4'5 1 Excluding eanlially controlled economies ro0ca* l (IV* *00 403 7.3'jQ *tvi 15 1D0 M 8b? TOO Ip 100 1 'S.` PrObAC* 19*5 2000 500 3.40D 500 3 220 1 f>*. I.6?U 500 10.000 00 * 9 300 t rwi I9.3U0 Ptobabi* xv*ag* annua* q.'own 19TA 2000 irHHC04) 35 -- , *3 39 Table 7.--Projections and forecasts for U S. vermiculite demand by end use, 1976 and 2000 |T*'7i:SV'0 S^Orl If*-*) 2000 Erduse 19" Exfoliated L'phtwe*gnt agg'egate.................................................. Thermal insulation.................................................. AonCuMurt.............................................................. Ot>ef .............................................. ... Total.......................... UneitcMiaied ................ .... Grand total.................................................................. n? T9 39 ?J5 20 2551 Siiitisi*C9> P`Oj0CiiOn' 25-7 i*3* 160 C* Contingency Recasts tor United States Forecast range Low High ProfMbfe 2C0 3CX) 100 300 50 120 10 50 riee 77U 40 80 400 850 225 175 100 50 550 50 600 1 Statistical protections are da* vcd from reores-on arays s based on KMrvcal I'm* se*-e data and lororosts of economic irdicetrxs such as gross national product, and FR8 index Protection equations win a eoeffoent of determination <n squared* 'ess man o 70 are indicated by an asterisk (*) Due lo.ii lower st.it linn base, tin- ninwtli late for the lest of the world will lie 4..'5 percent. or about 0.7 percentage point higher than the U.S. rate. The cumulative ini.il loi. the rest, ol the world is 0.`500.000 tons through U000. Forecast ranges for U.S. demand In end use are listed in table 7. I.if;htirrii;lil Anaiigiih`.--(an iclation with the Fcdcial Reset ve ltciaid Index (IRItli lm mnstruct inn and allied equipment established ;i stiitislical projection of U(57,OOt) tons ot vermiculite in 2000. It is expected that greater use of low-density litepiool m;iteii:il with sound-ab sorbing pioperlies in mol decks. Ilooi till, and pic-fabricated panels will steadily im lease dcmand for vermiculite cone icte. Concerning demand lot vermiculite plasters and cement compounds, iheie aic positive and negatjvc lailnrs. I lie use ol coiu iele liaiiu wetrk lor low- and mcdium-i ise biiilclmus in place ol sii ns tin;il Merl lias iclaiclttl to some degree the giovvth ol demand lm these plasieis iind cement compounds lo liiepmol sicclwmk. but tlu-v are often used to improve the liie resistance of reinfm c ed anci presitessed amcreie ccilnmns ,ind beams. Also, im leasing emphasis on ac onsli'c al and tcxlming pmpeities in building spec ilic ations should inc lease demand lor these plastei and cement pioducts. The lorecast range was set using a gmwili tale ol 2..r> pet cent for I lie low end and 4.2 percent lor the high end to account lor c hanges th;it may occur in demand. The prob able demand is 225,()<)() tons, 42,(100 ions less than tfie statistic al projection. Tim mat limitation.-- I bis end use when cor related with the I*"Kill for total production vicltls a statistical projection of IH3.000 terns; liowcvet, this coiielation lias a low statistical teliahilitv factor. The inn cased need for insu lation lo conserve cncigv may spur demand to about 175,000 tons by 2000. The wide forecast tange was set to allow lor possible increased use nl alternate insulating materials and the possibility ol gicalcitlian-amicipaicd demand for homes and buildings. I lu: higher demand level lor all types nl insulating maietials will increase. Vcrmiculilo tn.is gain in consumption should petroi hemic.il fceclsloi ks lor the mauulailmi- ol soiue other insulating maietials he in slioit snpplv. I he ileniand lm vet ini< ulite mav he atlveisclv alleeleil hv its low R value and a shot lane of larger sized vermiculite lot use as insulation. R is a measure of a material s resistance' lo heal lianslci. Ilia'll R values indicate, cm a compaiativc- basis, that the matetial is a better insulator. Vet uiic ulite has an R value ol 2.2 pci inc h (with sonic- tests yielding a latingnl 2.5) vei mis 15.7 pel inc:lt -f m cellulose :t 1**1 10 MINKKAl. COMMODITY PKOKM.KS Table 8.-- Comparison of domestic vermicular 550.00H ions in 2000. I lie 50,000-ton shortfall ft 'k production and demand 1954-76, and protected production In 2000 (Thousand *onsl between demand and supply will be met by imports. finuie petiods of tight supply, partirulai ly -: Vein US U * pm 1-1 in die linger si/etl mafriial. will he met with * * 1954 * 1955 I95G 145 rn ' living pines. With pi i< es liiglici, some pievi- ?M 15'J t'l oiish Miliet omutiir it vimiu v may bet time le- wi 1957 1950 in 155 mi 191 sei ves ami pi otllit lion mav ensue. VA 19S9 1900 153 151 2ir tQ A slim luge ni'supply of die larger material * * 1961 151 2'5 mav hampei the development of the insulating 1962 ,-C 1963 1964 * ,>' 1965 1966 H 1967 i?! 1960 1969 p 1970 1971 152 172 ?:g iV6 maikets. In the midsevenlies tliis has lieen 17 7 17* 226 249 evident in that many exlnliaiors have felt that 193 162 tlifv eould have s/)ld consith-rahly more verini- 160 255 213 <90 (iilitr for insulation if the crude had been 250 221 310 T45 available. 2C9 301 1972 1973 24 7 293 337 365 Possible Technological Progress 1974 279 34 X> 1975 197$ " 4 1 1977 > 1965 2000 245 255 290 500 >600 330 304 '359 >413 450 J532 5S0 Technological improvements in prospecting might lead to new.discoveries during the fniecast period. New methods for separating ver- * Eftttmj|ld mirulitc and biotite might emerge. Larger mar Not utod m teroenst * kets piubably will he further developed lor the v-- Probable forecast* Ironi labia 6 tVi, *Z0-year trend finer si/.etl exfoliated material. New uses for vet miculite could cmcigc, such as in new com S :'s*t nr 3.2 per inch for glass wool halts and 2.3 lor blown-in fiberglass. Agriniltuir.--Vet niicnliit* usage in ngiiiuliuic posite building materials to maintlaciure preialiiirated units and in adsorption of impurities was related lu gioss piiv.ue dnmestii invesi- in air ami waste water. metri to derive a statistical pinjeuinn of REFERENCES 160.000 tons. It is expected there will he a greater demand for veriniciilite for growing crops without soil (hydroponics)-. The probable I. Hmlia. It. R. Vci mirulilr Scaling (Master in Mines. Smith Afiican Min. and I-J-. v. 80, pt. 1. No. :\'M\7. IVh. M. IlMiO, p. 363. demand was set at the* high end of the Inter ust 1?. Mush. A. 1.. I.iuhiwri^hf * tfairv Ch. in tJniird range for this teason but still well below the statistical projection. Other.--No index was found to lottelaie Si.u** Minna! Risom < rv I'.S. (acnl. Survey Prnl. Paper 82", 1*173. pp. 33't-33iV 3. iiMittstii.il Minna!' iI 'iikIm.iI. \>iini< itlilc: IncicaMd (.ap.u it v I '.nuMii au' s ( >plimisin--I ml ('.onsii u< lion reliably with other rises of vet miculite The Still ilic Kcv in Demand. No. I IT*, Apiil 1077. pp. forecast range was set subjectively at lO.tiOO inns In 50,000 ions because of new uses which may develop. 17-31. 4. Vermit ulitc. A Maikct in I latisilimi. N. 3fl. Nmrtnhci 1070. pp. '.M.V r>. IViiov, V. P. fViliir and Vn iimulifr ((Yrdogv. Kxploia- I'liex/nlintril vninintlih - 1 be prim ipal end IUMI. and PmhIim Hun I r< liiiuln^v). Mpmow, UHi2 use of this ealegorv is for fiiepioofing wall (Hans hv dir U.S. (.ml 107M, 21 7 pp.). board. There wete not enough daia to develop 0. W.ishini*imi, R. A., W. C'Iii, ami R. Kenan I lie L'r fif a long-term correlation lor use in Imcrasiing VrnrmtiltK* In Dust and R.idon Dau^hirrs in Undcri'iimnd L'lamum Mine Ail. Can. Min. and t.. this use. Again the range was set subjei lively. Mel. Hul).. v. 66. No. 7.11. March 1973. pp. IS2-35. with a probable demand in the veai 2tH>0 ol 50.000 tons due to inn easing interest in better SOURCES OF CURRENT INFORMATION met bods of (ireprbol'ing homes and lommcicial buildings. Possible Supply-Demand Changes Stiafglil-line projection of domesiit veiinitnlile production indie ales dial ptotlutiion will U.S. Bureau of Mines publications: Yctnm nltlr. (lit, in Miiici.tl (Imtimndiiy Suniitiaiir'. .Htmi.tl Vci ini* uhu\ Ch. in Muici.il l iiiiv and Pmhlcms. 1973. VcinMtuliir. ('.It in Mmci.ils Yeathm'k, Annual. Vri init uliit*. Minci.il ImluMi) Suivcys. Annual. he about '113,000 Ions in 1065 ami 532.0110 tons in 2000. With the addition ol Viiginia Vermiculite and other small producers to the ranks of domestic producers, piodmtion will probably increase to 150,000 tons in 1065 ami Other sources: V nidncM inu .inti Mining Join ti.d Mintin' hn^imriiuK Mining lnuin.il d oinlon) lndnstii.il Minn aK .1 t *?H0E3RSI?!53S! Table 1 Distribution of Exfoliated Vermiculite Sold or Used in 1975-197: Application 1975 Short Percent tons of total 1976 Short Percent tons of total 1977 Short Percent tons of tote* Aggregates: Concrete Plaster Preraixesa Subtotal 75,000 4,000 38,000 117,000 Insulation: Loose fill Block Packing' Subtotal 39,000 35,000 -- 74,000 Agriculture: Horticulture and soil conditioning Fertilizer carrier Subtotal 31,000 7,000 38,000 Miscellaneous: 6,000 32 1 17 50 16 15 -- 31 13 3 16 3 67,706 3,099 39,448 110,253 39,058 39,310 390 78,758 25 1 15 41 14 15 -- 29 36,379 37,450.b 73,829t 7,334, 13 14 27 3 65,920 3,599 30,130 99,649 74,900 50,980 168 126,048 21 1 9 31 23 16 -- 39 40,780 47,580 88,360 6,797 13 15 28 2 Total 235,000 100 270,174 100 320,854 100 Source: Haines 1977. a Includes vermiculites used in premixes for acoustic and fireproofing purposes, decorative textures, moisture sealants, etc. Revised. 10 EXPOSED POPULATIONS Excerpts from: INTERIM FINAL REPORT Exposure Assessment for Asbestos-Contaminated VernfcLculite EPA Contract No. 68-01-6271 Task No. 1 Prepared by : 4 Versar Inc. 6621 Electronic Drive Springfield, Virginia 22151 February 18, 1982 18 7. EXPOSED POPULATIONS Hie following section presents the best available data concerning the number of persons exposed to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. In many cases, the data apply to the total numbers of producers and users of armiculite? no attenpt is made to estimate the proportion using the asbestos- contaminated mineral. Section 7.1 lists the occupationally-exposed .opulations, Section 7.2 deals with consumers of vermiculite products, and Section 7.3 estimates the population exposed to asbestos via ambient air near 0 Termiculite emission point sources. 7.1 Occupational Etopulations 7.1.1 Miners and Millers There are four active vermiculite mines in the U.S.: W.R. Grace in Libby, Montana? Grace in Ehoree, South Carolina? the Patterson Vermiculite Co., also in Ehoree? and Virginia Vermiculite in Louisa Cbunty, Virginia. The Grace mine in Libby produced 181,000 kkg of vermiculite in 1979 (JRB 1982). Ore is mined by bench quarrying using power shovels and aimonium nitrate blasting. After mining, it is hauled by trucks to a nearby primary processing plant and then to the mill (JRB 1982). Hie Libby mine enplcys 250 persons (EIS data base 1980). Hie Grace mine at Enoree produced 119,000 kkg in 1979 (JRB 1982). Ore is mined from several open pits, exploited with little or no blasting. It is then hauled by trucks on public roads to a central concentrating mill (JRB 1982). Based on operations at the Libby mine, it is assumed that the Grace mine at Enoree enplcys 200 persons. Hie Patterson Vermiculite Cbnpany mined 5,000 kkg in 1979 (JRB 1982). Hie ore is mined from open pits and hauled by trucks to the mill two miles away (JRB 1982). Patterson has between 20 and 49 enplcyees (EIS data base 1980). Hie Virginia Vermiculite mine began operations in 1979, mining 9,000 kkg (JRB 1982). Further data cure unavailable. Using figures for Patterson as a guide, it is assumed that the Virginia mine enplcys between 20 and 49 persons. Table 17. Location, Employment, and Products of U.S. Exfoliation Plants Name Location Number of Employees Brook Co. Cleveland Builders Supply Co. Diversified Insulation Inc. J.P. Austin Assoc., Inc. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products Dlv. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01v. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products Dlv. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products Dl v. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. St. Louis, M0 Cleveland, OH Minneapolis, MN Bsaver Fa 11 s, RA Irondale, AL Phoenix, A2 North Little Rock, AR Newark, CA Santa Ana, CA Denver, CO 35 200 W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. Pompano Beach, FL Jacksonville, FL Tampa, FL 25 36 75 Product gypsum 1nsulat Ion exfoliated vermlcullte concrete products crude petroleum; oil and gt exploration; exfoliated vermlculIte chemlce Is exfoliated vermlcullte fertt1Izers 21 Table 17 (continued) Name Location Number of Employees Product .R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. > 0k 1 ahoma City, OK R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. . ,R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. '.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. .'.R. Grace Co., Construction Products Dlv. R. Grace Co., Construction Products Dlv. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. Portland, OR New Castle, PA Kearney, SC Travelers Rest, SC Enoree, SC Nashville, TN 45 - 133 20 W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. W.R. Grace Co., Construction Products 01 v. International Vermlcul tte Co. Koos Inc. San Antonio, TX Dallas, TX Ml Iwaukee, Wl Girard, IL Kenosha, Wl 21 20 - 49 100 - 249 equipment rental and leasing; crude petroleum, ol1 and gas exploration, oil field and other machines plastic products exf o 11 ated verml cu 11 te Insulation; also fertl11zers (105 enployees) soap and detergents chocolate and cocoa, exfoliated vermlcul Ite mineral wool agricultural chemicals 23 Table J8. Estimates for Vermlcullte Transportation from Exfoliation Plant End use Aggregates Insulation Agricultural chemical carrier Growing media Other uses TOTAL Source: JRB 1982* Exfol1ated vermlcutIte (percent of total) Bag Bulk Use at Plant 24 31 13 7 I 64 3 12 13 7 1 33 25 4- T a b le 1 9 . Sum m ary o f E s tim a te d I'o p u la n o .i Lxp uc iSe) OudS2O9. 28& U O 4* o .S u I-- 5 a. 0 4 CD O' J 4- . i. L "O > w Ui O CD O' 4- g -- 4 A u 4- O u CO > mm UJ 9 O00 00 CD O' O' O' -- o A A 4- -4* *o T3 *3 C/1 to CO X0 5 g Xz \r0* KvO> CD CD ero-** in 1 8 o o o O ITS O' <D ocd CO O' O' O' V) ca .0 .0 .0 4-4- 4- *0 *0 "CO co co cn o5o KinN O^ Oo r* ^ o O* m uJ (A JO -- e o-- 5t UJ a. o in rs -- NOv No V f--fl M U cU O 9 3 UB EL. > 4- 3 U E U 5 O^ -- 4U- 03 -- 4- -- 3 u E u > x> c E u 4-- 0*c3 u 0 .0 O O 49- L. E * c fi U L. --O u 0 E " "O c c u0 * E3 Ol u &O **- -- TJ a u 4- 4- Ol uo> TO cn U O _ A *-- 4- _ 3 u 4- JZ at * ** 0 UJ -- "i c. > * 4- Ao o> c e u 4- L. U c c 4- C u0 A 4- L. U 0 u -- L. 4 0 u Of -- c 0 4- O3 U 4- c 0 0 "O c 4- e fc | 8- 5 C V. _ -- u <-3 4 af u \ 2 12 <3? |5J ^0 1$ *- ^ T? O o JC Xu l 3 C o c* 2 TD C b u + 4- -- 3 4. o O ho 1/1 u u *c c f &X Z-- =D 3- o 8 IS o -4*. J 27 Bureau o f Census 1980 Bureau o f Census I960 Bureau o f Census 1980 2,000,000 2,200,000 e u> O CD o O' o CD m 00 O' /: u0 Ov Ov 0 z3 3 0 0 3 0 0C c u o A o .0 o 4 0 3 *o 3 u t/1 cn X uz u <E <3 i <3 0 0 "O u Oe 0 43 in O SCO. 5 |5 vvO VO U 0 -O^ 43 0u H- g5 <r Oo ooo. o oT CNv oo CD CD O' O' O' 000 333 000 CCC CJ CJ O *_ 00o 333 U u U <3 (S (S 2o 2 O V) A-- e O-- -s o IT IP V in t N (N -- ^ 0 4* -- 1j 0 3 -- U O 4- M I = ^ > 4- e 0 0 U - C * o e 0u 5 U C o-- o U CL *0u c >o ou -- O) 8- T> 00 U (J JuC uo %* 0 U * E U 3 V Uu uc u S3 Q. + 4- 0 O --3 --3 U 0CO rLU rOU .uo0 6 <3J3 5* < - \ T3 --8 U O q C >. U 0 U6 0 u *o -3 -- > c L 3 fe *o --^ 4- O U 4 _ C 4- 4--0 O) 0 4- +* +4- ---- fe -- * u o U 4= -- 0 ^ u o o >* u UC Q -8 c a> O _ i/t 0 U+.N<.u U. U U -- -- ou *3 053k jfl 3 0 Oa 0 3 U -3 ---- o io-> Pu a. 3 Q. food stores Feed/farm suppl le rs General merchandise re ta ile rs 29 4 \ Comments Number o f Parsons Exposed Total Nunber o f Persons 2<D O' O' vci e3vini uo <o* o 9U3 93U <3 <3 o ^ n OcOo' o -- O' 3VI -- VI C VI 0 43 -S 3t-- Xoz oO' JO T? tn Xoz O<N' o 0o" O' L(A. 4L- --3 u l. V3) V) MU 3 1 L --C eo o VoI 9* L> L. o c VI u3o O XO* 0ua. wX 4O3 VI VI VI cc 3 & jC s. 4--2- cl xx3 QLa..I-..a-Lw._a 8s --a>*. "Xu V) VLI vi L VI 4U *3 -- .L* Uo S VI X -- E Uai VcI mm S 3c U3 UJ 4uo- 1L> --> L. JJ 4 0 tv_i j<3j La. ba. --- LV.I U L s u To3 VI L U Xc Xo> i S s UL. X39 L (S <s N ^ Number of Establishm ents TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE SPILLS P o p u la tio n 31 4 j Comments Number o f Parsons T o ta l Nunber o f Njmber of Ioafl. x iL. "D j a u (0 + 3 CD Os CO O' # M* QD % s Ov mm (N o c + L. 9 A u E tl L .c 9 4- > > A tf) i > iT iT U VI u L u L c > > V) L. >* L 0 0> 4- c TS 9 0Q0 0 o 3B 25 35 T3 e0 4- 4- 0 * a CL 4- n T3 *o C c CL 4- 'O CL c JZ <z <Q c _ K 0 o * *o n O t, V) L. 4- SI EV --OL C 9 5 _> 9 cV u 4- a If) 4- & J5 <8 +- <0 c C C n 4C 4*- 5 4- 4*. c 43 43 A 4L. CCC o0o 9 Q. 4- 4- 4- u o U c <0 c c c 2i2 g Eg O O 0 0 u u u --9 43 o> c c -- v 0 VI a-- --> < L. L 4 oc in L 4- 4f 87 P o p u la tio n Vermiculite is probably no longer used in the U.S. as a carrier for comnercial pesticides and agricultural fertilizers, However, it is still a cannon ingredient in lawn and garden fertilizers as used by gardeners and groundskeepers, landscapers, nurserymen, and homeowners. About three-fourths of these mixtures are forrrulated at the exfoliating plant. Vermiculite is also canronly used in growing media. Half of the vermiculite so used is forrrulated by the distributor into soil and soilless premixes; of this, 75 percent is shipped to greenhouses and the rest retailed to the consumer. The other half is bagged as is and shipped frcm the exfoliator to the distributor as "horticultural grade" vermiculite. It is probably not rebagged. It is used mainly as a nulch and soil conditioner, for hydroponics, and for packing bulbs surd seeds for transportation. Of this horticultural grade sold, 50 percent is sold to landscapers, 30 percent to greenhouses, 15 percent to nursery and garden centers, and 5 percent to retail consumers (JRB 1982). Vermiculite has minor agricultural uses in livestock feed, hatchery and poultry litter, and seed encapsulation. Few persons cure expected to be exposed via these uses. (4) Retail. Vermiculite has a number of consumer uses, and may be offered for sale in virtually any kind of store that sells merchandise for the home. It is also used in window displays. \ (5) Castable refractories and firebricks. Vermiculite has refractory uses in aluminum and ferrous metal foundries as a exponent of molding sands and insulating cements and for other uses. Vermiculite-containing firebricks are used in high tenperature furnaces and in other applications as listed in Table 19. 35 The above figures sire based on the assumption that vermiculite insulation has been installed only during the past ten years. It is possible that the insulation has been used for a longer period of time but no confirmation was available. 7.2.2 Lawn and Garden Fertilizers Market research (Simmons 1978) indicates that 33.8 percent of the U.S. population buys lawn and garden fertilizers each year (74.4 million persons based on 1980 population figures). The percentage of lawn fertilizers containing vermiculite is not known. Ortho and O.M. Scott sure known to produce fertilizers containing vermiculite. Estech General has reported that vermiculite was rmoved from their Vigoro product line a few years ago (JRB 1982). Approximately 32 million households kept gardens in 1976 and 1977 (EPA 1980b). It may be assumed that fertilizer is used in all gardens, tut again it is not known what proportion of garden fertilizers oontain vermiculite. 7.2.3 Houseplants The nunber of Americans who own at least one houseplant is not known tut probably includes the vast majority of the population. The percentage of houseplant potting soils that contain vermiculite was not known. The majority of houseplant owners probably buy plants that are already potted and keep them indefinitely without repotting. If the soil does oontain vermiculite, it is probably kept fairly moist, is rarely (if ever) disturbed, and would therefore not be a significant source of potential exposure. A small fraction of houseplant owners are hobbyists who buy significant quantities of premixed soil or who mix their own soil, often using bagged horticultural vermiculite. They would be exposed to vermiculite during mixing and urepotting. Persons who cultivate succulents or who frequently^root cuttings would use the most vermiculite. / There are at least 3,000 owners of hobby greenhouses (Encyclopedia of Associations 1907^hdie expbsure to vermiculite should be conparable to that of greenhouse employees occupationally exposed. 37 f I ' levels of asbestos fibers. St. Louis was chosen as a representative site and vas used in the ATM-SECPOP model (see Section 5.3.2) estimating ambient exposure fran exfoliation. In the ATM-SECPOP results, all persons within 50 :m were exposed to some asbestos. Ebr the purposes of this exposure -"'.ssessment, it was not possible to count the populations within 50 km of each ?ite accurately. Instead 1980 Census data (Bureau of Census 1981) were 'btained for most of the 47 cities. Table 20 lists these data. The total \umber of persons ambiently exposed to asbestos from vermiculite exfoliation :.s estimated to be 13,147,496. Section 8 will discuss the level to which each jubpopulation within that total is exposed. The procedure used to estimate this population is limited, and the figures obtained nust be considered approximations. The limitations include: Data were unavailable for three sites: Beltsville MD; Kearney, SC; and Ehoree, SC. Maps indicate that these are snail towns. A population of 1000 was assumed for each. It vas not possible, within the scope and resources of this study, to determine the exfoliation plants' actual locations, to see whether nearby towns might be affected. It was assumed that the total reported population within a town would be exposed to some extent. ATM results indicate that fibers cure dispersed to a 50 tai radius, and it is unlikely that any city enumerated by the Census would exceed those bounds. It was assumed that asbestos is present as a contaminant in the vermiculite processed at all of the exfoliation plants. Actually, some vermiculite is not contaminated with asbestos. It is not possible to determine the mmber of persons exposed to asbestos from vermiculite transport or disposal; in many cases they would be the same persons exposed via mining, milling, or exfoliation, since disposal and transport would be localized around these industrial sites. No significant ambient exposure via water or land would be expected. Section 5, sumiarizing the fate and transport of asbestos fibers and exposure I 39 pathways, shows that water and land are not important sources of exposure to asbestos frcm vermiculite. * .4 V < - Table 21. Summary o f In h a la tio n Exposure to Asbestos In V e rm lc u llte re ta il traders o f gypsum wal I board e 9 (0uA 4ge-440-- -- 9 to C O c. *a -6Oi ?>* 9 A C 0 EQ aO. O --a. z3 oxo(ItE o Ji uo wu> s *&> 3 .O a -- 0a. 9> UXl -I oo ON I Q O u ovel IQo v i:a <2 aO. <ionM (uA E-- T9 3 C <J --<0 cVI *uE Co U > --c ss 55 XO 5 o> 5 ^ on Or-n C NO On coX O--n JCt ON C3 s o 5c (UA (LA. --&Ex_Eu> o (A Lo. ---- "yo OE *- i_ X9 U3 1 o "8 V) to L. ----<oe. t0; *L0. (tA- L(A. JOD *L. U3 ---- O 4- X * -- 3s 9C3 o(A. 4- >* CO X O) -- (N *o o e o c 43 T a b le 2 1 . Summary o f In h a la tio n E xposure to A s b e s to s In V e r m lc u llt e ( c o n tin u e d ) oue e S h O aiInQ *Eotm o .in +Ou. t/i >2 -l o O -* --4L-. sI*U/I E 0^ Io&/I > X -I UJ a o u O I o z <*- 0 cI/I LOW K& aE o. X uj 3 & O Q e x o c I /n -- Tt s8 Si s O "c *8 ? iun -- S <1 oi e u3 --c *8 t 2: S --4O- 4COU- uO) Juo= " o fc S3 U o V c X o c JC m ^ * ^ U t3 4Sj- in u eo 4- O3 -- la m ---- lC.7) --u -- S m-- o ---- u 3 &2 --0. 4- *. 4Lo- ac u o -e 3: ---- K:-- L C CL U3 0* 0U Uf - unknown unknown (b ) Producers and users of ol I- 45 I I I h (continued) L. tf VI CD <0 6 4- in 0 a. at L. 4 *3 <n >mX > in o a. X *o e L. e A 4- of 4- 0 > 4- , O +- C o> u u J L. 4- g Xc X C >. A I 4- I o u 1 E e o e u Ieu oc o0 Ku0 mmt T able 21* Summary o* o * --X 4- SV) UL <3 5 6 ^ a Woa. > i2 J uu oo cs X o X 0 % 0 c X o ex 0 c oX 55 s5 cc 3 e O in e& <2 J5 a s sooo ooo ooo Oo* ooo c X o o * ex oo o s5 cc c C 4- I --m 58 0 4 m-- *o U 4- <J c -- MU -- -- -- CL a --x ---- L. u^ -- in -- u-- -- 1. c-- cx ---- --a. a. (A -- E-- E u in 4- __ 4- Q. L. c 0-- 0 4- u mmm o X e e o X L. 0 X in ou --C in CD in W s E +- l_ o u a o L. m *** CM VI c X> X at u m iun ^ \fl > o . o nu in L. -O in -- a. 8 <3 < m O o a 47 (2) Exfoliators of Vermiculite. Exfoliation of vemdculite leads to atmospheric emissions from process equipment and during handling. Uncon trolled enissions to the air within an exfoliation plant may lead to occupa tional exposure, while process vents to the outside lead to exposure via ambient air. The actual number of persons exposed in the workplace to asbestos from exfoliation is not known; estimates range from 1,694 to 1,979 employees at 52 plants. Fiber levels within the exfoliation area vary between nondetectable and 0.48 f/cc. The higher exposure levels that have been recorded in the past are no longer encountered because of the installation of improved dust collection devices and enclosures (see Table 11). (3) Transporters of Vermiculite. The number of persons involved in transportation of vermiculite is unknown; the NOHS survey identified 129 truck drivers and 108 rail workers exposed to asbestos from vermiculite transport (Table 21). It is probable that a large number of workers handling vermicu lite in transport are unaccounted for. Exposure during transport may be significant. Based upon personnel samples taken at one mine, truck drivers may be exposed to 0.3 f/cc. Rail workers are potentially exposed to high fiber counts resulting from the transfer of beneficiated vermiculite from railroad cars to exfoliation facilities. Fiber counts may range frem 0.22 to 245.0 fibers/cc when handling Libby vermiculite. Vferehouse workers handling the exfoliated product have been monitored with personal samplers. Results indicate that no exposure arose from warehouse handling of vermiculite, but it is likely that accidental spills occur with seme regularity and lead to exposure during cleanup operations. (4) gpimiercial and Industrial Users. This population includes formulators of consumer products and users of exfoliated and unexfoliated 50 .'Vir*i vermiculite. Pew data are available to quantify asbestos exposures within this group. Parts I.D. and I.E. of Table 21 present the available data. In soma cases, product forrrulation data were not distinct from exfoliation data and the sane figures were used for both worker subopulations. This was the case for producers of lightweight aggregates, producers of vermiculite insulation, and producers of agricultural and horticultural products. Thble 22 lists the occupational subpopulations for which no data were available, and makes a qualitative statement of potential exposure. 8.1.2 Consumer Exposure Consumer exposure has been calculated for three types of products: use of vermiculite loose-fill insulation in attics, use of lawn care products, and garden fertilizer application. The other consumer uses of vermiculite are not expected to lead to high exposure to asbestos? asbestos fibers either affect a very snail population or they are not expected to be released during use. (1) Consumer Installation of Loose-Fill Vermiculite Insulation. It has been estimated that the attics in 940,000 homes have been insulated with vermiculite in the last ten years (see Section 7.2.1). At the rate of 94,000 homes per year, and assuming that the job requires two people, approximately 188,000 consumers cure exposed each year. The estimates of asbestos concentrations in an average attic are seen in Section 6.5. The average exposure level is 7,200 ug/rn^ for the 8-hour period. Chce in place, vermiculite attic insulation would probably not lead to subsequent consigner exposure. The type of attic in which vermiculite is used is ordinarily isolated frcm the rest of the home and is not regularly entered. (2) Consumer Use of Garden Fertilizer. As seen in Section 6.5, asbestos levels can be estimated to reach 57 gg/rn^ during application of garden fertilizer; a time-weighted average of 28 ug/m^ represents the mean exposure 51 / level. It is assumed that it takes one hour to fertilize the average garden and that it is done once yearly. The proportion of garden fertilizers containing vermiculite and the proportion of contaminated mineral are unknown, but it is known that 32 million households had gardens in 1976 and 1977 (USEPA 1980b). If each gardener uses asbestos-contaminated vermiculite-based fertilizer, then approximately 32 million persons are exposed to 28 ug/rn^ asbestos during fertilizer use. (3) Consumer Use of lawn care Products. This worst-case exposure scenario is based upon the "box model" estimated concentrations developed in Section 6.5. This analysis should be interpreted with caution in light of O.M. Scott's monitoring of air during use of their products, which detected no asbestos fibers (see Thble 11). Each consumer might breathe a time-weighted asbestos concentration of 4.4 yg/m^, for four hours once yearly. Approximately 74.4 million Americans buy lawn and garden fertilizers each year. Again, the percentage buying asbestos-containing vermiculite products is unknown. 8.1.3 Ambient Exposure Ambient exposure to asbestos from vermiculite is assumed to arise from two types of point sources: mines and exfoliation plants. This exposure is via releases into ambient air; water and land are not significant exposure sources (see Section 5.2).1 (1) Ambient Exposure Near Mines .and Mills. Approximately 4680 persons live in the three towns with vermiculite mines. All are probably exposed to asbestos fibers from controlled and uncontrolled emissions. Monitoring data collected at points around mines and mills indicate that levels of asbestos range from undetected to 0.5 fibers/cc. A full-time resident could be exposed to this level 24 hours per day. The respirable fraction of this level has not 53 unloading is probably very snail because of the relatively lew release rates; exposure to the transportation workers during loading and unloading is considered to be an occupational exposure and is discussed in Section 8.1.1 above. Disposal conprises primarily landfilling solid wastes from mining, beneficiation, exfoliation, and processing, and also includes discarded end products (JRB 1982). Releases of vermiculite and asbestos from landfills are thought to be negligible. Wastewater frcm mining, beneficiation, and exfoliation is recycled (JRB 1982). Minor amounts of vermiculite and asbestos are released frcm water treatment operations at permanent vermiculite concrete plants (JRB 1982). Because water-mediated exposure to asbestos frcm vermiculite is not thought to be a significant route, and because the aqueous releases of vermiculite and asbestos are insignificant ccttpared to air releases covered in the occupational, consumer, and ambient scenarios, this exposure pathway is considered to be negligible. As discussed in Section 5.2.2, asbestos is not expected to be accumulated; therefore, food is not considered to be an applicable exposure scenario. Drinking water could contain asbestos from waterborne releases from vermiculite processing and use. Releases to water from all sources are considered negligible (JRB 1982). Fate processes do, however, result in seme intermedia transfer of asbestos frcm the atmospheric and land environments to surface water. The available data are inadequate to support a quantitative estimate of exposure from ingestion of drinking water, but it is considered unlikely that this exposure route is significant conpared to the occupational, consumer, or ambient exposures discussed above. 8.1.5 Integrated Worst Case Exposure Scenario The geographic distribution of vermiculite point sources and the widespread use of some vermiculite products indicate that individual exposure may cane from numerous sources. This facilitates the creation of a plausible 55 Table 23. Wbrst-Case Individual Exposure Level Profile Source of Exposure Working In an exfoliation plant 2,000 hours yearly Living In city with exfoliation plant 8,736 hours yearly fertilising garden once yearly for one hour fertilizing lawn once yearly for four hours Insulating attic for 8 hours once In 1Ifetime Exposure level8 0.48 flbers/cc 0.025 Ug/m3 28 Ug/m3 4. 4 Ug/m3 7,200 Ug/m3 8 Exposure levels from Table 21 4 57 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION BY ASBESTOS PRESENT IN VERMICULITE ORE Arthur N. Rohl, Ph.D. Peter M. Dittman Environmental Sciences Laboratory Mount Sinai School of Medicine City University of New York 59 Abstract Raw vermiculite ore after exfoliation at high tempratures provides a low density material with excellant thermal and acoustical insulation properties, as well as a water storage enhancer in soil. The ore slated for mining in Louisa County, Virginia was found to contain two types of asbestos minerals, actinolite and chrysotile. Mining and milling of such ore may result in occupational as well as environmental contamination of air and water. Potential health hazards may also be associated with the use of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite consumer products, such as horticultural media and animal litter. 60 Two vermiculite firms, W.,R. Grace & Co. and Virginia Vermicullte are seeking open pit mining permits for mining of vermiculite ore in the Green Springs, Virginia area. Historic Green Springs Inc., an environmental group with historic interests, has engaged in litigation with the mining board consequent to approval of two temporary permits. Both firms have confidently stated that there is no trace of asbestos in the proposed mining sites. A laboratory study was performed, by A.D. Little Inc., for W.R. Grace & Co., on ore samples from the same general location. The conclusions reached were that vermiculite, hornblende, and hydrobiotite were the major constituents and that the presence of tremolite was doubtful. The mining and subsequent widespread use of such vermiculite ore raises the possibility of environmental contamination by the asbestos minerals present - chrysotile and tremolite/actinolite. These minerals have known human disease potential (l), being both carcinogenic and fibrogenic. The structure of vermiculite consists of a central octahedrally coordinated layer of (Mg, Fe) ions between two inward pointing sheet of linked SiO^ tetrahedra, giving an emperical chemical formula of (Mg,Ca)1(Hg,Fe+3,Al)6((Al,Si)8 020) (0H)4 .8H20 . Geologically, vermiculite may be formed by two principal processes; one is in the region of contact between acid intrusives and basic or ultra-basic rocks. The second type of occurence is as an 61 alteration product of biotite either by weathering or hydrothermal action (2). In the Green Springs area, the deposits of hornblende gabbro and gneiss are sufficiently near the surface to allow weathering alteration to for vermiculite. Methods Fourty court-sanctioned core samples, indexed by number were taken in the Green Springs area. Six of these samples were fowarded to the Environmental Sciences Laboratory for mineralogical analysis. This included examination by polarizing optical microscope, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and scanning electron microscope with microchemical capabilities. Raw ore samples were prepared for the optical microscope using conventional techniques of mineral fragment observation. Mineral properties and optical constants of each of the samples were measured. These included; color, morphology, cleavage traces, lndicies of refraction, relief, birefringance, extinction angle, and pleochroism. Six samples were prepared for. the transmission electron microscope (TEM) by the wipe-out technique (see append.l). Along with these samples, three amphibole standards were also prepared. Actinolite, treraollte, and hornblende were selected because of their possible occurence in thesamples. Two grids from each were scanned at 2Q,000K. Because the fibril 62 morphology ofchiysotile is so unique, this mineral species may he identified hy this method alone (3) (U). These fibers were sized and counted, and their mass concentration in the samples were calculated (see table l). The amphibole minerals, however, needed further characterization after initial identification by selected area electron diffraction techniques on the TEM ( see fig. 1 and append.) (5).These amphibolefibers were mapped for study under the scanning electron microscope (SEh). The SEM, coupled with an energy dispersive x-ray detector, enabled semi-qualitative analyses of the mapped amphibole fibers and standards. It was necessary, because of the low emission ofthe light elements, to calibrate our instrument by including chemically analyzed standards in our analyses. Eight fibers of each standard and sample were analyzed and spectra recorded using a DEC PDF 11 computer. Vermiculite particles were included from each sample for comparison purposes. An area, was recorded for each sample and standard, that straddled the center of each x-ray energy peak of magnesium, aluminum, silicon, potassium, caicium, and iron. Another area was subtracted which was representative of the background noise. Crude percentages were calculated for each element from the corrected areas. Using this data three component graphs for all the fibers were made up containing MgiCasAl and MgsKtAl (see fig. 2). The chemically analyzed actlnolite fibers were also plotted onseperate three components containing the same systems. 63 For a qualitative measurer.ent, the samples were prepared for the x-ray diffractometer. The sonicated samples remaining from the wipe-out precedure were elutriated on a clean glass slide, taking care to concentrate the sample in the region of the incident beam. Each of the samples were continuously scanned through the 5-&5 degrees 20 region, where 0 is the dispersion angle. The peak positions as a function of degrees 20 were recorded and correlated using the ASTM x-ray powder data files. To further quantify this, the samples were pepared for stepscanning by the filter mount method (see append, l) (6). The diagnostic reflection of tremolite was step-scanned over a goniometric Interval of 10.00-11.10 degrees 20. This interval proved sufficient to define a peak-to-background ratio (6). A digital printout of elapsed time in the fixed-count mode was used to prepare precise positions and profiles of these reflections. The area of which was determined using a compensating polar planimeter. For comparison, binary systems containing talc and tremolite were prepared. Percentages of 25, 50, and 75% tremolite in talc were continuously scanned over the '5-65 degrees 20 range (see fig. 3). However, because of orientation and microabsorption effects (?), a curve containing standards below ten percent tremolite in talc had to be prepared. Results Based on observations from the optical microscope, it was found that amphibole minerals were present in all the samples. The estimated percentages ranged from a trace quantity (about 1% or less) up to major constituents of the sample ( >5OjS). The observed variance in asbestos content of the samples is a function of various geological factors. The close similarities and overlap of indicies of refraction of the amphibole minerals precluded positive identifi cation by this technique. The electron beam instruments enabled the identification of the particular species of amphibole mineral present. Using the microchemical capabilities of the SEK, it was possible to detect which cations were present in substitution. A graphic interpretation of the elemental percentages yielded actinolite as the major amphibole species present. The transmission electron microscope also allowed identification and quantitation of the fibrous serpentine mineral, chiysotile (see table l). The determination of the presence of amphibole minerals by optical microscopy was confirmed by the continuous scan mode of x-ray diffractometry. Amphibole phases were found in five of the six samples. Step-scanning of the diagnostic reflection (in the angular interval 10.0-11.1 20) permitted determination of the percentages of actinolite listed in table 1. 65 Summary Mining and milling of this ore may pose a potential hazard to the miners and their families. A possible environmental hazard also exists by ambient air and water contamination resulting from this operation. It *is suggested that other vermiculite ores be thoroughly studied to discern the content and hazards inherent in their production. Also that protective measures be employed in production areas already in progress. The results of this study have been brought to the attention of the appropriate regulatory agencies, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mining Enforcement and Safety Agency. It is their intention to monitor all vermiculite processing plants in the country for asbestos levels. Arthur N. Rohl, Ph.D. Peter M. Dittman Environmental Sciences Laboratory Mount Sinai School of Medicine, City University of Mew York 66 I . CHEMICAL HAZARD INFORMATION PROFILE* Environmental Protection Agency Chemical: Vermiculite____________________________ ______ CAS #: 1318-00-9 Date of Report: 9/21/79 CHIP Equivalent: _; Rationale for CHIP Selection: Report of "bloody pleural effusion in workers at vermiculite plant - in FYI submission. Comments: High exposure potential; demonstrated human toxicity, not on TSCA inventory -- should have been included as a natural product. This ropor t rorsoseats a . i - ir.nry n\> :s tig.a tic:: of : '2 subj ec t chemical a; y. 1 her iirii;;ry to her.'. T 1 healah and the _nv;.ronme: .- all avails ]0 : ** ~ 1...........y therefore i. x > - rubjacL r.u'.y not r ef loc chemical. r ,,,. recommends tions based on sport are tentative and should not be construed as final Agency policy v/ith respect to the subject chemical. I 67 Verraiculite 1318-00-9 Verraiculite,.a hydrated magnesium -aluminum -iron silicate has a platelet-like crystalline structure with pseudo- hexagonal characteristics. For commercial purposes crude verraiculite is heated to "exfoliated" vermiculite. #When heated verraiculite is capable of expanding 6-2 0 times its original size. Exfoliation takes place in vertical furnaces with temperatures ranging between 1600#F and 2000F. When the water composition of vermiculite is heated to high temperatures the pressure of steam forces the laminar apart at right angles to the cleavage planes in an accordian-like form. Air spaces develop throughout the heated vermiculite thus its great bulk, low thermal capacity and high insulation value. (Otis, 19 58)^ Vermiculite is a secondary mineral found in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Virginia, North and South Carolina and South Africa. The commercially significant deposits are located in Libby, Montana and South Africa. (Otis, 19 58) Vermiculite is soft, smooth, and resilient. It is soltble in hot concentrated sulfuric acid and insoluble in water and organic solvents. (Hawley, 1978)2 There are nineteen varieties of vermiculite known. Only the varieties vermiculite and jeffersite have been mined commercially. Although there is some disagreement as to whether vermiculites constitute a distinct chemical species, x-ray studies confirm that the diffraction patterns of vermiculite differ from true micas or chlorite. (Otis, 1958) 68 Molecular formula: Hardness (Mohs scale) Specific gravity Melting point Production/Use 3MgO Fe2Al203 3Si02 1.5-3.0 2.30-2.80 2,425F - 2,48 0F Uses of Vermiculite insulating material light weight concrete aggregate additive of ferilizer seed bed for plants insecticide carrier absorbent in the removal of strontium-90 removal of phosphates from wastewater filler for paint, rubber, and plastics animal feed additive litter for hatcheries packing material from milk (Hawley, 1977)2 Free world production of Crude - Vermiculite Production (short tons) U.S. S. Africa other 1974 341.000 200.000 12,000 1975 330.000 230.000 12.000 1976 300.000 250.000 12.000 (Riedl, 1977)2 1977 320.000 255.000 12.000 Users: Information on users of vermiculite is scant although O.M. Scott & Sons of Marysville, Ohio reports purchases of crude * vermiculite from W.R. Grace, Libby, Montana and South Africa for usage in their lawn care products. Chemical Week Buyers Guide, 1979 lists suppliers of vermiculite4 Filter, - Media, Ind. Grace, W.R. & Co. Southwest Vermiculite Co., Inc. 69 Toxicity Hunter and Thomson, 1973 administered 2 5 mg in 0.2 ml physiological saline of vermiculite or afoestos via intraplural injections to female CFY rats (50 rats/s do stance). Rats were maintained for 104 weeks or until death or culling for humane reasons. Vermiculite was purchased from the Palabora Mining Company Limited, South Africa. It cannot be determined from this study if there was any contamination of afoestos in the vermiculite. The following table gives the percentage particle size of Asbestos and Vermiculite |^KDdt'a?n J chyroirt. ! d$k?i,rcs !b | ; Vter/r.tath^ c Hunter and Thompson, .1975 6rsre rdi-q*. (a*?:.) _ *-5 7>- S3 .(e-10 / 7*S4> 1 tfA~> 20 /&, -JO *? '4 7JO i 1 3. ir i 7? 7 3 7- 23 /. Z SS-.S4 cy" 2 ! 3- 4* i I 3-3 f i /& \ I 0,27 ! o * 44 3`. ,7\CZ. mtcroccopy- b'. Frorv> UIC<1 C-Jnibn In-t'rra'-or&'e csr.rrd. leCar^r) </cLd sht-a*.*- u-V Rats injected with vermiculite had a survival rate equivalent to or slightly superior to that of saline controls, tfoereas a higher mortality rate of chrysotile asbestos treated rats was a direct result of treatment. A high incidence of mammary and pituitary gland tumors was observed in vermiculite or saline treated rats. This pathology also occurred in rats treated with asbestos but debility caused 70 by mesotheliomata tended to reduce the number o rats at risk of developing mammary or pituitary gland tumors. Among rats killed at week 104, macroscopic ally visible lung masses were confined to chrysotile a^estos treated rats. Tumors 0 classified as mesotheliomata were observed in a^aestos treated rats (21 out of 40 de^cedf'nts and 2f out of 8 killed at week 104) De^cendlnts treated with chrysotile adaestos showed macroscopic evidence of severe pulmonary damage including abcess formation, extensive fibrous adhesions between the visceral and parietal pleura in 31 out of 4 0 rats and suspected lung tumors in 21 out of 40 rats. Fibrous pleural adhesions were also noted in 13 out of 25 defcendlnts in the group treated with vermiculite, but adhesions were not seen in the control rats. The authors note that although vermiculite shares many of its chemical components with various types of adaestos, the particles were amorphous unlike the fibrous particles of adaestos. No other toxicity studies concerning vermiculite could be found in the available literature. It should be noted that some researchers believe that for fibrous materials, fiber size rather than chemical composition determines the biological effect.6,7, O.M. Scott and Sons Company report 4 workers at their Marysville, Ohio fertilizer plant who work with vermiculite experienced bloody pleural effusions. For 20 years O.M. Scott & Sons has relied on vermiculite as an inert carrier on which fertilizer and pesticide chemicals would be applied to form 71 finished products. Raw vemiculite is mined and classified in Libby, Montana and South Africia and shipped to the Marysville plant. In the Trionized where there are approximately 50 workers, the vermiculite is exfoliated. Company samples of the vermiculfite have shown the presence of asbestos in Libby, Montana vermiculite but not in the South African ore. The samples have also generally shown that a^>estos (in the fona of tremofo'te) is present in the crude ore but not in the expanded vermiculite. It has recently been reported that asbestos levels are in accordance with OSHA standards. However earlier samples taken by the company reported high levels of asbestos (up to 24 5 fibers/cc) during railroad car unloading. It is not known whether all the fibers were adoestos since further microscopy has identified other fibers and cleavage fragments.8 Listed below are analysis of chest x-rays and pulmonary function data for workers at O.M. Scott and Co. at the Marysville, Ohio plant. Tables and discussion weiie provided by physicians contracted by OSHA. This information was compiled January, 1979. In a personal ccmmunication with OSHA representative. Dr. Victor Alexander, it has been learned that an additional 3 workers have experienced bloody pleural effusions. OSHA has also contracted for another more extensive study to examine workers in the Scott plant. The study with a preliminary final report is expected to be completed by January, 198 0. 72 Scott Chemical Company (Table 1) The overall prevalence of pleural and/or interstitial abnormalities, among workers whose chest x-rays wre reviewed, was approximately twice as great in the trionized process compared to both maintenance and packaging workers, without taking into consideration age or length of employment (seniority). (Table 3) Overall, the proportion of pleural and/or interstitial abnormalities increased with length df employment- for all departments. On a departmental basis, the increase in proportion o abnormalities was noted in the trionized process and mainteance departments, but peaked in the 10-19 year seniority group in the packaging department. (Tables 4 and 5) The proportion of abnormal chest x-rays increased with age. (Table 6) The proportion of obstructive changes on pft increased with age for workers in the packaging and maintenance departments. Evidence of restrictive changes in the absence of obstructive changes increased with age only among workers in the trionized process. Smoking histories were not available.: 73 IV. BACKGROUND Exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite in the workplace and during mining operations. In December 1978, O.M. Scott and Sons submitted information to EPA regarding serious health problems experienced by workers who were processing asbestos-contaminated vermiculite in their chemical fertilizer plant in Marysville, Ohio. . The original submission indicated that bloody pleural effusions had been detected in 4 of 350 employees; symptoms and clinical findings in the employees were similar to those found in individuals with asbestos-related diseases. Subsequent follow-up studies initiated by OSHA11 revealed that the prevelance of health problems among employees at O.M. Scott and Sons was greater than originally expected. Thirty-two cases of pleural and/or interstitial abnormalities were detected by chest x-rays and/or spirometric measurements (x-rays were taken for 125 of 221 workers). The cause of the disease was most probably due to inhaled asbestos dust. Monitoring data revealed that prior to the installation of more stringent safety controls in 1976, plant employees were occasionally acutely exposed to airborne asbestos. One air sample taken in the unloading area wad found to contain 245 fibers/cm Subsequent microscopic studies have identified other types of fibers and cleavage products in addition to asbestos. Similar high fiber levels have been reported elsewhere. A plant in St. Paul, Minnesota which also processes vermiculite containing asbestos was found to have peak levels as high as 163 fibers/cm3. 2 Although adverse health effects developed by workers at O.M. Scott & Sons appear to be caused by asbestos exposure, other factors cannot be discounted. Since little data exists for health effects from pure vermiculite (fibrous or nonfibrous), it is possible that cleavage fragments or fibers of vermiculite itself caused the effects. Free silica present in the dust is another possible toxicant. Alternatively, fertilizer and pesticide chemicals, which are coated onto the vermiculite surface in the production process, may have adhered onto the fibers that were inhaled and could have contributed to the adverse health effects. Further studies would have to investigate these possibilities. At this time, the only known toxic chemical to which the workers were exposed is asbestos. The source of asbestos contamination may have resulted from the use of vermiculite from Grace mines in Libby, Montana. Grace acknowledged the presence of asbestos in the vermiculite from that mine in 1971. In 1977, an EPA study reported the presence of substantial amounts of asbestiform amphibole fibers in the tailings (residues) from mining and milling operations.^ During beneficiation, impurities in the raw vermiculite ore are physically separated by a "wet" process in which adhering clay 75 and other impurities are removed by washing. However, attempts to remove all impurities have been unsuccessful and tremolite asbestos remains as a contaminant in the vermiculite. The current asbestos concentration in ore leaving the Libby mines has reportedly been reduced to 0.5%. 5 In the past, mining employees had been exposed to asbestos- containing fiber levels in excess of the current OSHA 8-hour TWA standard of. 2 fibers/cm3* Current levels in the ambient air surrounding the Libby mines range from 0.3 to 2.6 fibers/cm3*7 Equipment.operators are exposed to levels of 0.6-1.8 fibers/cm3, 6 and workers in loading areas are exposed to fiber levels in the range from 0.2 to 5 fibers/gnt 17 To date l1u--ng- scarring has been noted in some employees" and there were two reported cases of "dust related lung diseases" in 1979. NIOSH is currently conducting a thorough study on adverse health effects of Libby miners. 9 Release of Asbestos from Vermiculite Products or End Uses In addition to workers, a substantial number of consumers and product end-users are potentially exposed to asbestos from asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. Although no data exists to substantiate this premise, engineering calculations have shown that levels of asbestos release into the atmosphere during end use may not be negligible.20. Figure 1 diagrams the estimated amounts of asbestos released during mining, production and use of vermiculite. The greatest source of current asbestos release to air is during the exfoliation process. At present exfoliation is estimated to release 140 kkg/yr of asbestos, or 58 percent of the total airborne releases. The second major source of airborne asbestos is the mining and milling process, which is estimated to release 102 kkg/yr, or 42 percent of the total'. Vermiculite end uses account for less than 1 percent'of total airborne releases. Although the quantitites of asbestos released during end-use are small in comparison to the mine and workplace, the aggregate risk to the consumer or product end user may be large in view of the large number of people exposed. Moreover, users may be particularly vulnerable and unprotected due to ignorance of the potential hazard. 76  V. REGULATORY STATUS r A.' '\ This section reviews the authorities and actions of Federal agencies as they relate to control of health risks from exposure to vermiculite. A number of federal agencies have issued regulations to control exposure to asbestos. Two agencies have issued regulations that control human exposure to asbestoscontaminated vermiculite. This chapter gives a summary of these regulations and gives information on the extent to which they may control exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. It also speculates on whether laws administered by the agencies might be used to develop regulations to control asbestos-contaminated vermiculite in the future. Where possible, the potential effect of these regulations is estimated. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) CPSC can regulate asbestos in consumer products under two acts. The Consumer Product Safety Act21 gives CPSC the general responsibility to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury, illness, or death associated with consumer products. The Federal Hazardous Substances Act22 gives CPSC the mandate to regulate hazards presented by the presence or use of toxic and other hazardous substances in the household. CPSC has used the Consumer Product Safety Act to ban two consumer products that contain asbestos: artificial members and spackling compound.23 Neither product is associated with the vermiculite industry. CPSC has announced that it is using its regulatory authority to begin a comprehensive investigation of the use of asbestos in other consumer products. As stated in an October 17, 1979 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), CPSC's general approach will be to seek to eliminate "all non-essential uses of asbestos in consumer products from which asbestos fibers are released during reasonably forseeable conditions of use, including misuse."24 The ANPRM solicited general information on consumer products that contain asbestos, and stated that the Commission intended to issue general and special orders in the future to require some firms to submit information on specific products. The ANPRM included a list of approximately 100 products and classes of products that contain asbestos. One item that appeared on the list was "potting materials (vermiculite)." The Commission later published a general order requiring firms to submit information on 16 asbestos-containing products. Vermiculite does not appear on the list of products that are subject to this general order.25 The regulation of the use of asbestos-contaiminated vermiculite for potting materials appears to be possible given the broad nature of CPSC mandate under the Consumer Product Safety Act and the seriousness of the health effects of asbestos. However, it appears that the Commission has decided to seek information first, about products in which asbestos is intentionally added rather than about vermiculite products in which asbestos is present as a contaminant. 77 DECISION PAPER for ASBESTOS-CONTAMINATED VERMICULITE Prepared by Albert Colli William Stigliani Kirk Johnson Chemical Control Division Office of Toxic Substances February 1981 74 The inadvertent presence of asbestos in materials (i.e. contamination) appears to be broader in scope than the Commission previously assumed. It is likely that the CPSC will address asbestos contamination as a separate issue. CPSC also has the authority under the Consumer Product Safety Actfito require firms to label a product to identify its contents.26 However, it is not clear whether the Commission will choose to use this authority. When CPSC regulated spackling compounds and artificial embers, the Commission stated that there was no safe level of exposure to asbestos and that "only banning these products can adequately protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury associated with them."2 CPSC may decide that it would be inconsistent to propose a labeling rule after taking such a strong stand against asbestos with the ban rule. In short, CPSC appears to have the authority to ban or to require labeling of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite and other consumer products that contain asbestos. The question is whether the Commission will choose to use this authority. It appears somewhat doubtful that CPSC will regulate asbestos-containing vermiculite, at least in the near future, but this possibility does exist. Whether any action that CPSC takes would have a widespread effect throughout the vermiculite industry depends on the number of products that CPSC can regulate. Vermiculite products can be thought of as belonging in one of three categories: those that are exclusively consumer products, those that are used for both consumer and industrial uses, and those that are used only for industrial uses. We have little information on how many products fall in each category. On the basis of the information we do have about the end uses of vermiculite, it appears likely that CPSC would not be able to regulate the bulk of asbestos-contaminated products; these would have to be controlled by other agencies. Department of Transportation (DOT) Under the authority of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act28, DOT has issued a regulation to control the transportation of asbestos. The regulation states that so-called "commercial asbestos" must be contained in airtight packaging or bags when it is shipped by freight containers, motor vehicles, and other modes of transportation. This regulation is not applicable to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. The reason is DOT's definition of commercial asbestos: "any material or product containing asbestos that has commercial value because of its asbestos content. 1,28 clearly, this regulation was meant to cover products to which asbestos is added intentionally, rather than.those where it occurs as a contaminant. According to a DOT spokesman, in order for the regulation to be applicable.to vermiculite, vermiculite would have to be placed on DOT's list of hazardous materials in its own 78 right, without considering the health effects of asbestos.30 Because so little is known about the health effects of vermiculite, the chances of this occuring are undoubtedly slim. The amount of asbestos that is released into the environment during transportation is very small, about 1% of the air releases and .03% of all releases. 1 Any control of these emissions would have to come from another Act (TSCA, for example, which offers life cycle control). Food and Drug Administration (FDA) FDA implements several laws that have been used to control asbestos. However, because vermiculite is neither a food nor a drug, these laws are not applicable to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 32 OSHA has used the Occupational Safety and Health Act's broad mandate to provide a safe environment for workers by issuing a regulation containing two major provisions controlling asbestos exposure in the workplace. The first is an exposure standard. The second is a labeling requirement. OSHA's current exposure standard, an 8-hour time-weighted average of 2 fibers of asbestos per cubic centimeter (f/cc) of air or a peak concentration of 10 f/cc, applies to "employment performed in a workplace" as stated in the Act. 3 OSHA's workplace standard for asbestos does not apply to mines. Theoretically, the standard protects workers along the remainder of the life cycle of vermiculite, i.e., at mills and exfoliation plants, and where vermiculite is processed. (Realistically, however, it is difficult to imagine the standard being enforced at many of these latter sites. For example, it i doubtful that employers at greenhouses where vermiculite is usee as a soil conditioner run their businesses with the asbestos standard in mind. Few employers besides those involved in the initial stages of vermiculite processing know that vermiculite often contaminated with asbestos. Preliminary information that we have received indicates th the OSHA fiber limits can be exceeded at plants where vermiculi is processed, particularly during exfoliation.34 However, both OSHA and EPA have stated publicly that no safe level of exposur to asbestos has been determined. In fact, OSHA has stated tha its current exposure standard in not sufficient to protect wor health.35 | it appears, then, that OSHA's authority may not off workers sufficient protection in all circumstances, and that a case could be made for using a different authority to reduce workplace exposures to asbestos. OSHA's second major provision in the regulation deals wi labeling. The regulation requires that warning labels be affixed to "all [asbestos-containing] raw materials, mixtures, scrap, containers, except that no label is required where asbestos fibers have been modified by a bonding agent, coating, binder, or other material so that during any reasonably forseeable use, handling, storage, disposal, processing, or transportation, no airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in excess of the [OSHA exposure limits] will be released."3 The standard also states the warning message that the label must give. ' This labeling provision appears to be applicable to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. However, we are aware of no manufacturers of vermiculite who currently label their product to show that it contains asbestos. There appear to be at least two reasons why. First, the OSHA regulation does not require manufacturers to label. It leaves to a manufacturer the decision of whether an item will be labeled. As long as a manufacturer believes that the use (handling, storage, etc.) of a product will not create fiber levels above the OSHA standard, he or she is not compelled to label it. Second, there is the possibility that some manufacturers of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite are not complying with the OSHA regulation by failing to label vermiculite that they know creates exposures greater than the OSHA limits. It seems, then, that although OSHA's labeling standard applies to vermiculite plants, it is not strong enough to compel owners and operators of these plants to label their product with a warning about asbestos. OSHA proposed a general labeling rule on January 16, 1981.^ This rule would require labeling of various classifications of hazardous materials. It would apply to "a consituent substance in an amount.of at least 0.1% (by weight) which is known to be a carcinogen". 3 However, the propsed standard would exempt from the labeling requirements those substances that are subject to an other OSHA labeling standard. Therefore, asbestos would not be subject to this proposed labeling requirements. Also, there is some question as to whether OSHA's broad labeling rule will be promulgated in its present form, or at all, because of a shift in national priorities. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Under the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act^ MSHA has issued a regulation to limit exposure of miners to asbestos.41 The regulation sets limits for the allowable time- weighted average and peak concentrations of asbestos to which miners can be exposed. These concentrations are identical to OSHA standard. MSHA's regulation is applicable to asbestoscontaminated vermiculite mines42 and affects directly the the approximately 260 miners in the vermiculite industry. Any future regulation (the most foreseeable one would be another revision of the workplace standard to match a revised OSHA standard) would 13 continue to be applicable to these miners. A regulation issued by MSHA does not control exposures to workers or the general public past the mining stage. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) At present, FTC has no regulations that apply to asbestos. However, the Commission is investigating the possibility of using the Federal Trade Commission Act to require manufacturers to label asbestos-contaminated vermiculite to alert purchasers to the presence of asbestos. Section 5 of the Act enables FTC to take action to prevent "unfair and deceptive trade acts or practices."43 fTC might argue that not alerting a consumer to the presence of respirable asbestos in a product is unfair and deceptive within the meaning of the Act. FTC's investigation is still in the most germinal stages. An FTC spokesman has said that the Commission will probably regulate asbestos-contaminated vermiculite only if other agencies do not do so.44 If the Commission issued a labeling requirement, it would only affect manufacturers of vermiculite that is present as a consumer product.45 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EPA currently has no regulations that apply to asbestos- contaminated vermiculite. The Agency has issued a number of regulations to control asbestos. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act, EPA along with CPSC has issued an ANPRM that announced that the Agency was seeking to control commercial and industrial uses of asbestos. The vast majority of the air emissions, liquid effluent, and solid waste resulting from vermiculite processing is created during mining, milling, and exfoliation. These three stages are estimated to account for 99% of the air emissions, 99% of the liquid waste,'and 99% of the solid waste of asbestos. GCA estimates that the liquid effluent and the solid waste that are generated at vermiculite plants do not appear to result in significant releases.46 A far more serious problem is created by air emissions. To help control these air emissions under the Clean Air Act, the Agency could simply add "vermiculite plants" to the list of stationary sources already subject to the no visible emissions requirement of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) regulation. There are two points that should be considered. First, the no visible emission 81 requirements were promulgated after the Agency decided that a more conventional technology-based standard would be inappropriate for asbestos because of the problems associated with measuring asbestos emissions. Second, Dr. William Nicholson of Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York has stated that this "no visible emission standard allows fiber levels well in excess of the OSHA standard to be released into the environment.4" it may be advisable to consider more stringent controls than those possible with the current NESHAPs regulation. State Regulation The Occupational Safety and Health Act allows States to submit plans for developing safety and health standards to OSHA. If these plans are approved. States are authorized to issue and enforce the standards, which must be at least as stringent as federal standards. 9 A number of States have used these provisions of the Act to develop standards for workplace exposure to asbestos. These are often identical to the federal standard of 2 f/cc S-hour TWA, 10 f/cc peak. To our knowledge, only one State, Minnesota, has used its authority to enforce a workplace standard for asbestos at a vermiculite plant. In November 1980, an inspector from Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry responded to a complaint filed by an employee at the MacArthur Company in St. Paul. The inspector took a number of air samples as a boxcar of vermiculite was being unloaded and concluded that fiber levels in the plant exceeded both the ceiling and 8-hour TWA concentrations allowable by law. 0 presumably, the State is taking action to rectify conditions at this plant. Because of this case, other States and OSHA might be pursuaded to inspect vermiculite plants for violations of the asbestos standard. EPA might consider recommending (perhaps through OSHA) that State occupational safety and health departments add vermiculite plants to their lists of asbestos facilities that they already inspect. Table 1 is a summary of the extent to which existing and potential regulations offer control of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. The regulations that exist have not been successful in minimizing exposure of workers and the general public to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. 82 VI. Regulatory Options Analysis A preliminary evaluation of the costs and effectiveness of various control options was conducted by GCA under contract to OPTS. 0 Most of the options chosen could be implemented under the TSCA. In some cases other authorities may be more appropriate to implement an option. A series of engineering assumptions was made in this preliminary study because there was insufficient data available to complete the work otherwise. The goal was to develop preliminary information to determine whether rulemaking proceedings should be initiated as opposed to detailed information to support proposed and final rules. The analysis in this study should be regarded as tentative and subject to revision when more definitive data becomes available. The regulatory control options evaluated by GCA are described below: Option 1 - Restrict the Level of Asbestos in Crude Vermiculite This option would place a limit on the level of asbestos allowed in crude vermiculite produced or consumed in the United States. Currently, the average asbestos concentration of crude vermiculite produced by Grace, the largest domestic supplier, is reported to be -0.. 5_percent by weight. Two alternative beneficiating processes which are estimated to lower the concentration to asbestos levels of 0.1 and 0.25 percent are considered. ' - ii The 0.1 percent asbestos level is to be achieved by dissolving the tremolite out of the vermiculite by acid leaching at elevated temperatures and pressures. Although this process has not been used with vermiculite, the successful separation of tremolite from talc caused GCA to hypothesize that it could be used to beneficiate vermiculite.50 The 0.25 percent level is believed to be attainable by using a process patented by the Zonelite Corporation for beneficiating vermiculite. In this process a concentrated salt solution is used to partially exfoliate vermiculite and lower its density so that the heavier gangue minerals can be separated gravimetrically. Option 2 -- Restrict the Level of Asbestos in' Exfoliated Vermiculite : This option will place a limit on the level of asbestos allowable in exfoliated vermiculite. It is assumed that asbestos content is directly proportional to the surface area per unit volume of each grade because asbestos-rich dust will be retained at the surface of exfoliated vermiculite. The level of asbestos in vermiculite will thus be greater for the finer product 84 grades. The analysis presumes that industry would respond to 0.25 percent limit in exfoliated vermiculite by curtailing the production of grade 5(2a). If a 0.13 percent limit on asbestos concentration was imposed it is presumed that industry would^ terminate production of grades 4 and 5(2b). GCA assumes49 that the finely divided dust associated with vermiculite was richer in asbestos than the coarser material and that efficient screening of the exfoliated vermiculite would reduce the asbestos content of the vermiculite to 0.08 percent (2c). Option 3 - Restrict the Release of Asbestos to the Workplace During Vermiculite Processing A lower limit on the asbestos concentration in the workplace would be required by this option. The current level of control is 2.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) of air averaged over an 8 hour-day with peak concentrations limited to 10 f/cc. This option would reduce the level of control to 0.5 f/cc. averaged over an 8 hour-day. Option 4 - Restrict the Manner in Which Asbestos-Contaminated Wastes are Disposed This regulatory control would require that all asbestoscontaminated wastes generated during mining, milling and exfoliation be disposed of in such a way as to reduce asbestos releases to the environment and minimize human exposure. Solid and liquid wastes generated during mining, beneficiation, and exfoliation of vermiculite contain concentrated asbestos fiber. Dust collected by air pollution control devices and solid waste material generated during crushing, screening and destoning steps would be properly handled and disposed of to minimize environmental release. Liquid wastes containing asbestos would be discharged to tailings ponds. When full they would be covered with soil and seeded over. Option 5 - Ban the Use of Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite This option has been defined in a manner as to ban all vermiculite. There is evidence that one or more of the asbestos minerals may be present in all deposits of vermiculite. Option 6 - Ban the Use of Vermiculite for Specific Uses A ban on selected uses of vermiculite would be implemented by this option. For example, the use of vermiculite for attic insulation may be of particular concern because the material is applied by people in confined areas. Also, the risks to human health associated with the use of raw vermiculite should be investigated thoroughly because it contains higher levels of asbestos. 85 grades. The analysis presumes that industry would respond to 0.25 percent limit in exfoliated vermiculite by curtailing the production of grade 5(2a). If a 0.13 percent limit on asbestos concentration was imposed it is presumed that industry would terminate production of grades 4 and 5(2b). GCA assumes that the finely divided dust associated with vermiculite was richer in asbestos than the coarser material and that efficient screening of the exfoliated vermiculite would reduce the asbestos content of the vermiculite to 0.08 percent (2c). Option 3 - Restrict the Release of Asbestos to the Workplace During Vermiculite Processing A lower limit on the asbestos concentration in the workplace would be required by this option. The current level of control is 2.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) of air averaged over an 8 hour-day with peak concentrations limited to 10 f/cc. This option would reduce the level of control to 0.5 f/cc. averaged over an 8 hour-day. Option 4 - Restrict the Manner in Which Asbestos-Contaminated Wastes are Disposed This regulatory control would require that all asbestoscontaminated wastes generated during mining, milling and exfoliation be disposed of in such a way as to reduce asbestos releases to the environment and minimize human exposure. Solid and liquid wastes generated during mining, beneficiation, and exfoliation of vermiculite contain concentrated asbestos fiber. Dust collected by air pollution control devices and solid waste material generated during crushing, screening and destoning steps would be properly handled and disposed of to minimize environmental release. Liquid wastes containing asbestos would be discharged to tailings ponds. When full they would be covered with soil and seeded over. Option 5 - Ban the Use of Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite This option has been defined in a manner as to ban all vermiculite. There is evidence that one or more of the asbestos minerals may be present in all deposits of vermiculite. Option 6 - Ban the Use of Vermiculite for Specific Uses A ban on selected uses of vermiculite would be implemented by this option. For example, the use of vermiculite for attic insulation may be of particular concern because the material is applied by people in confined areas. Also, the risks to human health associated with the use of raw vermiculite should be investigated thoroughly because it contains higher levels of asbestos. Option 7 - Require Firms Mining or Exfoliating Vermiculite to Report This option requires record keeping and reporting to EPA. It provides a means of tracing the flow of asbestos-containing vermiculite throughout its lifecycle, from production to end-use, including its intermediate transfers. This option will not result in any direct release reduction. It allows the government to gather information from the industry on a regular basis. Also, it may result in a risk reduction by making firms aware of the potential hazards. Option 8 - Require all Substances Containing Vermiculite to be Labelled with Information on Asbestos Contamination This option requires a warning label on all packages containing asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. It will serve to inform users of the possible asbestos hazards associated with its use. Conclusions from Regulatory Options Analysis Eight options for reducing the release of asbestos from contaminated vermiculite have been evaluated. Table 2 summarizes their effectiveness in reducing the release of asbestos and the costs associated with their implementation. Figures 2 through 6 illustrates the impacts of Options 1 and 2 in more detail. Specific conclusions are as follows: The quantity of asbestos in raw vermiculite may be reduced by 44 to 56% of present levels through more effective processing at the mine (Option 1). The costs increase by a factor of seven in improving the efficiency of asbestos removal from 44% ($8/kkg) to 56% ($53/kkg) at Grace's Libby mine. (For comparison, GCA estimates a cost of $1.37/kkg to ship vermiculite 100 km.) Implementing Option 1 would cause a significant reduction in airborne asbestos release during exfoliation, and would cause a somewhat smaller decrease in releases from the end-uses. Restricting the level of asbestos in exfoliated vermiculite (Option 2) primarily affects releases from vermiculite end-uses. Although the effect of the option on total release is small, the reduction of airborne asbestos releases from the uses of vermiculite range from 10% to 75% depending upon the level of controls that are imposed. 87 m8 1 15 4J -- J I 83 sill *4 s :*1a 1#8 655 $ O ^ w o> f* CD N N BBSS SSS5 ^^wO 22^^ flflBB nr*s 3 S | O X* 1s r- SO IoCNN CO S x 3 ! K c ci SU -*3W1H SB E *2 <3 S Q irn* W mCM 3 o c ?s. sci jse &U &: a C-HN g.s Sd u m*-4 o 09 Hd u Hsci A3 kS $: 10 a o & So A HO ^ ON 01 Hso pP 34s VcnOi &s : <c** oo o me 0%* --1 S a 3 i iul Morf e o; -aS*i3 3.2 5 U -4 0) H ' tf E u 01 sh Vo) oxi $ci 0i) u.I -34 *s ^4oJoiwQ3 H0O DCt -#039 U 8a ' n i w g> &S2 Slg. 'up * 5 b S 3 <p BuSi8| sB|s a jcC; > o 88 rn w> O' c ^o c 0* ^ a bo * so. *a u o 4J O p4 fix Hh Ob vba uc u to *V k4>* ^uc 00a ZW X o <OO ~c4 4 0) * > C 0 SB > +J uu U3 3 T3 CoO AC zo 89 VIII. ALTERNATIVE CONTROL STRATEGIES Section V of this document contains a discussion of the nonTSCA options that could be used to control asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. It notes that several federal agencies have the authority to control exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, but that this control is piecemeal and does not extend throughout the life cycle. Furthermore, it appears that none of the agencies will take further action to regulate exposures in the near future. Section VI contains a discussion of the major ways that EPA could control asbestos-contaminated vermiculite under TSCA. TSCA appears to offer much more definitive control of the problem and could be used to reduce exposures throughout the life cycle. In Section VII, the major technical problems associated with control of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite are discussed so that they can be considered in the decision regarding control strategy for this chemical. In this Section the results of Sections V, VI and VII will be used to present alternative strategies for controlling asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. These have emerged from an examination of EPA's authority under TSCA and other acts, the acts administered by other agencies, and a number of nonregulatory options. At the present stage of knowledge there appears to be five major alternatives for EPA in designing such a strategy. They ares ALTERNATIVE 1 Take no action at this time; ALTERNATIVE 2 Gather information; ALTERNATIVE 3 Pursue voluntary controls with the vermiculite industry; ALTERNATIVE 4 Pursue a rule under TSCA requiring labeling of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite; ALTERNATIVE 5 Take action under section 6 of TSCA to control asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. The advantages and disadvantages of each alternative are discussed below. These alternatives are not mutually exclusive. 90 ALTERNATIVE 1: Take no action at this time PRO * EPA resources may be freed to control other chemicals. A rule to control asbestos-contaminated vermiculite may . complicate EPA's rulemaking to control industrial and commercial uses of asbestos. The technical problems associated with measuring low levels of asbestos in vermiculite and resulting exposure levels will make development of a rule difficult. A rule may have particularly adverse effects on the national economy because domestic supplies of vermiculite may contain higher levels of asbestos than foreign sources. CON * People may continue to develop adverse health effects from exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite if we take no action. If EPA does not take action under TSCA, it is unlikely that any other agency will take new action to control this problem, at least in the near future.* Industry's current controls, which limit contamination to an average of about 0.2% asbestos by weight, may not offer adequate protection because large numbers of microscopic asbestos fibers may be released at that level. Estimated Resource Requirements: No additional resources would be expended by this alternative. * For a more complete discussion, see Section 4. 91 ALTERNATIVE 2: -Gather Information PRO * We do not have sufficient information to determine the extent of the risk to human health from asbestoscontaminated vermiculite. We do not have definitive information on the rate of asbestos release from exfoliated vermiculite and the human exposure resulting from the use of vermiculite products. We do not know the efficiency of technological controls to remove asbestos from vermiculite. We need additional information to determine whether control actions on this chemical will have adverse effects on the national economy. CON * A regulatory investigation may be the most effective means for us to gather enough information on health risk and economic consequences to determine whether a regulation is warranted. Although we lack definitive information, we have enough information to initiate some type of rulemaking. OPTS's limited resources might be better spent to control other chemicals. Estimated Resource Requirements: It is estimated that 60 person months and $900,000 will be required to complete the work outlined in Section XI. 92 ALTERNATIVE 3s Pursue voluntary controls with the vermiculite industry. PRO * If the industry agreed to make the changes we thought necessary voluntarily, it could obviate the need for a rule and save us a great deal of time and resources. Meeting with the industry would be relatively easy because it is small. CON * The risk to human health may still be unacceptable after the voluntary controls have been established. Asbestos appears in veins at random so that the level of asbestos contamination depends upon selective mining as well as technological contols. Adequate protection of the public may require regulatory monitoring and record keeping to ensure compliance. Grace has known about the contamination of its vermiculite for a number of years but may not have taken measures to control the problem, adequately. Estimated Resources Requirements: The alternative of encouraging the use of voluntary controls by industry would have minimum resource requirements associated with it. The action would involve gathering and analyzing information from industry, and working with them to obtain the most stringent controls possible. Resource requirements are estimated to be 4 person months with no extramural support. 23 ALTERNATIVE 4s Pursue a rule under TSCA requiring labeling of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. PRO * A labeling rule could be promulgated expeditiously because of existing information on health effects resulting from exposure to asbestos. A labeling rule could probably be promulgated more rapidly than a more extensive rule. * Although other agencies can require labeling (FTC, CPSC, OSHA), a labeling rule under TSCA may be more comprehensive. * People are generally uninformed of the hazards of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. CON * A labeling rule may jeopardize a larger control rule. ("Why control the problem further if labeled?") It may become necessary to solve the difficult technical problem of detecting low levels of asbestos in vermiculite before a labeling rule can be promulgated. ("How much asbestos does there have to be in vermiculite before it must be labeled?") " Labeling is already required by OSHA and is under consideration by other agencies. The use of TSCA is unnecessary. Estimated Resource Requirements: The resource requirements to promulgate a rule to label the asbestos in vermiculite are estimated to be 6 person years and $200,000 in extramural contractual support. Only a portion of the work described in Section XI is required to support a labeling rule. ALTERNATIVE 5: Take action under section 6 of TSCA to control asbestos contaminated vermiculite. PRO * TSCA offers the most comprehensive control of the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite problem. The long latency period associated with asbestos-related disease means that the full magnitude of the asbestos- contaminated vermiculite problem may not be determined in the near future. If we postpone action more people will be placed at risk. ^ Once we solve the technical problems in controlling asbestos-contaminated vermiculite under TSCA, other asbestos-contaminated minerals may be easier to control. There are adequate substitutes for most uses of vermiculite. We have a great deal of information on the health effects of asbestos. If we can get reliable data on asbestos released from vermiculite, rulemaking will be greatly facilitated. CON * Industry should be given an opportunity to cooperate voluntarily before imposing regulatory controls that are costly to promulgate. Information should be gathered to determine the scope of the problem and the implications of rulemaking before initiating action. To develop a regulation for asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, staff resources may be diverted from other, more pressing problems. Controlling asbestos-contaminated vermiculite may help South African producers at the expense of domestic producers. With the current regulatory climate, it may be difficult to justify regulating vermiculite, a substance that many people do not consider a toxic chemical. Estimated Resource Requirements: The resources estimated to promulgate a rule to control asbestos-contaminated vermiculite under TSCA are 15 person years and $900,000 in extramural contractual support. 95 IX Recommendations: We recommend that the following action be taken: REJECT ALTERNATIVE 1 (No action) If EPA doesn't control asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, other agency will. no ACCEPT ALTERNATIVE 2 (Gather information) More information should be gathered, but currently available information indicates that the problem is sufficient to warrant furthur action. ACCEPT ALTERNATIVE 3 (Voluntary controls) We should do everything possible to encourage conditions to reduce the risk to human health as we gather information to determine whether regulatory controls are required. ACCEPT ALTERNATIVE 4 (Labeling rule) A labeling rule is expeditious, defensible. cost-effective, and POSTPONE ALTERNATIVE 5 (Regulatory control under TSCA) We should gather information and evaluate the results of voluntary action before we commit to the development of more stringent regulatory controls. A prudent strategy would combine Alternatives 2, 3 and 4. Alternative 5 should be postponed until additional information is gathered and the results of planned action are evaluated. Information collected thus far indicates that asbestoscontaminated vermiculite poses a sufficient health problem as to warrant a near term regulatory proceeding to consider requiring hazard warning labels on vermiculite and vermiculite products that contain asbestos. People that use asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, or products that it contains, should be informed of the presence of asbestos so that they can protect themselves. Work has already begun to gather more definitive information in order to determine the need for imposing control of the release of asbestos from vermiculite by section 6 of TSCA. This work should continue and is outlined in Chapter XI. We should also encourage the vermiculite industry to minimize the release of asbestos fiber from vermiculite and we should monitor any change in release rate that may take place. OPTS should meet with other Federal agencies that can control asbestos-contaminated vermiculite (FTC, CPSC, OSHA, MSHA), particularly in order to coordinate any rule to require labeling. We should also exchange information and make sure that there is no duplication in planned activities. Although a labeling rule appears to be the most logical starting point for regulatory action, such a regulation should not preclude the possibility of more comprehensive action at a later date. 96 X. CONCLUSIONS The following conclusions are made from information that is available at this time. " The major domestic supply of vermicullte (at Libby, Montana) is contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos released from this material is the probable cause of adverse health effects developed by workers at a fertilizer plant where the material was used, and at the mine where the vermiculite is produced. Based upon present demand no domestic source of vermiculite could compensate for the quantity presently extracted from the Libby Montana mine. Control of asbestos contamination in vermiculite or asbestos exposure levels is complicated because most domestic sources of vermiculite may contain asbestos. Most of the asbestos contained in vermiculite is released during raining and exfoliation although the population exposed to the sources is relatively low. Much larger numbers of people are exposed to the lower levels of asbestos released frcsn the use of exfoliated vermiculite. The asbestos content of vermiculite can be reduced by either technological controls or choice of supply. There are technical problems in accurately measuring trace quantities of asbestos in vermiculite. There are technically suitable and cost competitive substitutes for many of the uses of vermiculite. More information should be gathered, but available information indicates that the problem of asbestoscontaminated vermiculite warrants further action. Activities that are planned on asbestos-contaminated vermiculite should be coordinated with other Federal agencies. 38 XI. SUGGESTED FUTURE PLANS A plan for a regulatory investigation of asbestoscontaminated vermiculite has been developed. This plan is upon current information and is subject to revision when additional information becomes available. based The objective of the plan is to gather relevant information to determine whether asbestos-contaminated vermiculite poses an unreasonable risk. This determination is based upon balancing the risk to human health resulting from the release of asbestos against the cost to society for regulatory controls. The major activities planned and the information to be obtained are described below. a Information on asbestos-contaminated vermiculite will be gathered from sources within the government and any regulatory investigation planned will be coordinated with other appropriate government agencies. * The mineralogy of major domestic and foreign vermiculite ore bodies and the raw vermiculite produced from these mines will be determined. Sufficient samples will be taken to characterize (1) the ore body, (2) each grade of raw vermiculite produced and (3) each grade of exfoliated vermiculite produced. Samples will be analyzed to determine the percentage and type of asbestos fiber, the nature of other fibrous materials present, and the existence of free silica. The fiber size distribution (strand diameter and length) will be determined for the fibrous materials present. * Data on adverse health effects associated with asbestoscontaminated vermiculite will be studied to determine whether asbestos-exposure is the sole cause. The objective will be to determine whether other factors such as the presence of chemical agents or free silica in vermiculite may have contributed to the reported adverse health effects. * The degree of human exposure to asbestos that results currently from the mining, processing, transport, use, and disposal of vermiculite will be determined. The relationship between the asbestos content of vermiculite and the release of asbestos into the air will be established. A model to predict the degree of human exposure to asbestos that would result at low levels of asbestos-contamination will be developed. This model may be used to estimate the risk of human health associated with restricting the asbestos-contamination of vermiculite to some reduced level. * Diseases that may result from human exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite will be identified together with the factors that modify the degree of risk posed by such exposure. Methods for predicting the risks resulting from 39 exposure levels lower than those for which there are direct data will he developed. This information will be used, along with information on exposure, to estimate the risk to human health from asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. * The risk to the population exposed to asbestos during the manufacture, processing, transport, use, and/or disposal of vermiculite will be estimated. This information will be used to determine what regulatory controls may be needed for asbestoscontaminated vermiculite. * Methodology to monitor trace quantities of asbestos in vermiculite will be investigated and developed. The objective would be to establish sampling and measuring procedures that could be used to control extremely low levels of asbestos in commercial vermiculite. The investigation will: (1) establish recommendations for sampling the sources of vermiculite supply to ensure that the results are statistically valid, (2) identify or foster the development of test procedures for accurately measuring extremely low levels of asbestos in vermiculite, (3) determine the accuracy and reproductability of test procedures for measuring extremely low levels of asbestos in vermiculite; and (4) identify laboratories capable of adequately performing the measurements. * Information on beneficiation technology to determine the lowest level of residual asbestos in vermiculite attainable by employing technological controls will be determined. Information on processes to separate asbestos from vermiculite has been requested from Grace, a known supplier of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. If this information is not provided, the use of Section 8(a) of TSCA or subpoena will be investigated. Independent studies to determine the efficiency of separating asbestos from vermiculite will be instituted. * Engineering controls under consideration for reducing the release of asbestos will be investigated and evaluated. The costs and the effectiveness of their use will be determined. The lowest level of asbestos-contamination attainable with technological controls will be established for each grade of vermiculite and costs associated with those controls will be determined. The cost and problems associated with measuring low levels of asbestos-contamination will be considered. * The economic consequences of regulatory control of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite will be estimated. The impact of regulation on the vermiculite industry will be determined. The costs of various engineering controls will be established. The benefits derived from vermiculite and the availability of substitutes will be considered as far as possible. The effect on the national economy and small businesses will be estimated. 29  An investigation will be performed to determine whether pure vermiculite can cause adverses health effects. This is a long range study that will depend primarily on the results from animal implantation studies.