ShareThisQ: I recently cleaned out my basement and found some old cactus potting soil. An article I read said a Libby, Mont., mine had to close because of asbestos found in the vermiculite. People working and living there were getting sick.In case my potting soil may have vermiculite from there, do I need to be concerned? Would it be safe to just dump it in the flowerbeds in the back yard?A: You need to be concerned. Asbestos fibers are a known carcinogen. When inhaled they cling to the lining of the lungs. Prolonged or repeated exposure to these fibers can lead to lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.Vermiculite is a mined product and varies from a light brown and gold to a dark gray. Although its primary use was in attic insulation, it is possible that your potting soils contain vermiculite.Before its closing in 1990, the Libby mine produced the small pebblelike minerals, which were accidentally contaminated with asbestos also present in the mine.Today, vermiculite is mined in three other U.S. facilities as well as in other countries that have low levels of contamination in the finished product.The vermiculite should not be disturbed since it could release the fibers into the air. Once airborne, the fibers can linger in the air for hours or days.I strongly recommend you have the potting soils removed by a trained and certified specialist. There should be several in your area.If you decide to remove the soils yourself, use an aerator to lightly spray the soils with water to secure any loose fibers. Next, use a sealable garbage bag to cover the pot containing the soils, then seal the bag with at least two bag ties. Place the bag inside another plastic bag and set it out for pickup or take it to a licensed landfill. Returning the asbestos to the soil is both safe and inexpensive.For more information on vermiculite and asbestos, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site at www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/insulation.html.(Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors. Write to him with home improvement questions at C. Dwight Barnett, Evansville Courier & Press, P.O. Box 286, Evansville, Ind. 47702.)
Dispose of vermiculite with care
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