However, cutting or damaging these products can cause harmful fibres to become airborne. Exposure to asbestos-laced vermiculite increases your risk of developing lung diseases, lung cancer or mesothelioma—an aggressive form of cancer directly related to prolonged asbestos exposure that develops in the lining of your lungs or abdomen.
Health risks increase with the level of concentration of tainted fibres in the air, as well as the duration and frequency of exposure. The vermiculite extracted from the Libby mine was sold under the trademark Zonolite and widely used to insulate attics in homes across the globe, in the years leading up to Insulation products that can pose severe health risks should be removed and replaced with a safer alternative to protect against harmful side effects.
A Brief History During the early to late s, much of the mineral was mined in Libby, Montana—an area where asbestos deposits prevailed. Search all fact sheets: Search. Type a word, a phrase, or ask a question. Asbestosis - Asbestosis is a lung disease that occurs when asbestos fibres are inhaled. It is a chronic disease with slow onset that usually requires several years of exposure. The development and progression of asbestosis varies from individual to individual.
It is often slow with little changes over five, ten or more years. Many cases do not advance after diagnosis. It may, however, be quicker in some individuals than in others due to different conditions of past dust exposure. Asbestosis is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis the formation of scar-like tissue.
Shortness of breath is the most common symptom. In most cases, the first and often the only physical sign is "crackles" - sounds that can be heard through a stethoscope. Also known as "rales", they are usually detected near the end of a full inspiration. Chest x-rays will show small irregular opacities spots in x-ray film that are opaque or where x-rays could not "see" through the tissue.
These are commonly found in the middle and lower lungs. Lung function tests can help to determine how serious the condition is. Mesothelioma - Mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal cells lining of the lung and abdominal cavity. The site of this tumor might be the lung pleural or the abdomen peritoneal. Patients with pleural mesothelioma experience chest and shoulder pain and dry cough is frequent. The designation "U.
The Trust does not cover Canadian properties. Can the Trust recommend abatement contractors? No, however as a convenience please see "note to homeowners" under the Asbestos Abatement Professionals tab for a state by state contractor members of the EIA association. The Trust makes no representations or warranties regarding the services or any aspect of these companies. The Trust strongly encourages homeowners to get multiple estimates for all vermiculite abatement services including removal, testing and re-insulation.
Can I make a claim for diminution of property value or economic loss? Although that Claim Form and bar date notice indicated that diminution of property value or economic loss might be compensable, those specific measures of damage were not part of the final settlement.
Consequently, the fact that your home may have gone down in value due to the presence of ZAI is not, in and of itself, compensable. What is compensable is a portion of the money you have spent, or will spend, removing and replacing the asbestos containing ZAI from your structure. What type of proof of payment is acceptable? Every effort should be made to provide copies of original invoices or proposals.
Invoices and proposals produced after the fact will be subject to additional scrutiny. Cash payments will be subject to a higher level of scrutiny including confirmation by the abatement contractor.
To help ensure that your claim meets the necessary requirements, claimants are strongly advised not to make cash payments for abatement and reinsulation projects. Note: The Trust cannot reimburse expenses for remodeling and general upgrades. The Trust can only reimburse expenses directly related to the abatement. Therefore, every effort should be made to separate out the cost of vermiculite abatement activity versus other general construction.
It is strongly advised that your contractors include the break out in their proposal and invoice. Yes, under some conditions. There may be incidences in which a homeowner and abatement contractor reach an agreement whereby the Claimant authorizes the Trust to pay the compensation directly to the contractor.
In that event, as discussed in Part IV of the form, you must provide proof of payment of the non-reimbursable portion. Utilizing this option does not create a contract, either express or implied, between the ZAI Trust and abatement contractor. Payment to the contractor is contingent on the claimant providing acceptable evidence of his or her payment obligation as well as compliance with all other provisions of the Trust Distribution Procedures.
Please note that reimbursement is based only on vermiculite abatement cost and such costs as are reasonably related to the abatement. Can I rely on my contractor to submit my claim and the necessary documentation?
Ultimately you will be declaring by your signature that you have read and complied with the Instructions. Contractors will often assist a homeowner in gathering the necessary information and photos but that is strictly between you and them.
The Trust is NOT a party to any agreements with your contractor, written or oral, and is not responsible for any actions or omissions on their part. You should discuss the necessity of providing accurate and authentic information with your contractor prior to the beginning the claims process. See "Asbestos Abatement Professionals" tab. How do I safely take a sample to submit for testing? Be sure to label your sample with the date, location e. Be sure to also include the Chain of Custody form with your sample.
Please note that if your vermiculite sample results are non-consistent with the Zonolite Attic Insulation product, the Trust is willing to test up to two more samples at no cost to you. Thus, you should collect two more samples before the removal. Please submit them in 3 separate, small containers or zip lock bags. You can pay for your own sampling and analysis at anytime, however, you must at least open a claim before submitting a sample to the trust for analysis.
All of the necessary information explaining the process is located on the website at www. Please review that information prior to contacting the Trust. Due to high call volume, you are encouraged to use email for the quickest response.
Will the Trust send a professional to my home? If deemed necessary by the Trust, a home inspector may be sent to verify the status of the vermiculite abatement.
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