Hello Elizabeth,
Until it was closed in 1990, about 80 % of the worlds' vermiculite
came from a mine in Libby, Montana. This mine also contained large
amounts of naturally occurring asbestos. Most of it, in the news
reports I've heard, went into making home insulation (thousands of
homes in Minneapolis, for example, are known to have been built with
insulation originating from the Libby mine).
I've heard that the risks from horticultural vermiculite are minimal
but who knows. Many state departments of health posted warnings in the
last year or two so you may want to check out what types of
vermiculite were traditionally sent to your area.
I hope this helps.
Saturday, June 23, 2001, 1:55:38 AM, you wrote:
Eac> I have recently read an alert from very reputable herp folks who state: "Due
Eac> to the recent discovery of asbestos associated with vermiculite we recommend
Eac> using perlite (for incubation) and disposing of any unused vermiculite."
--
Best regards,
Tony mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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