From 1924 to 1991, 80% of the world’s supply of raw vermiculite ore came from Libby, Montana. During this time more than 5.8 million tons of asbestos-contaminated ore from Libby was shipped by rail to 240 different addresses across the U.S. for processing into insulation. The vermiculite ore from the Libby mine was contaminated with a particularly dangerous form of asbestos - amphibole asbestos of the tremolite-actinolite series. As a result, processing facilities nationwide were contaminated with the asbestos.
Salt Lake City had two sites where vermiculite ore was processed using a method called “exfoliation” to produce insulation as well as other building materials labeled under the “Zonolite” and “Monokote” brands. The former exfoliation facility sites were located at 333 West 100 South, Salt Lake City, where Vermiculite Intermountain processed Libby ore from 1940-1984. The plant relocated to 733 West 800 South, Salt Lake City, and operated three more years under the name of Intermountain Products before closing in 1987.
As the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) began looking at Libby Vermiculite destinations nationwide, tremolite asbestos contamination was discovered at two Salt Lake City processing locations. EPA initiated two Time Critical Removal Actions to clean-up the former processing facility sites between 2004 and 2005.
Sold in 1984, the Vermiculite Intermountain building at 333 West 100 South underwent substantial redevelopment and now consists of an electrical substation, a commercial parking lot, and small businesses. EPA removed asbestos contamination from the structures and surrounding areas where contamination was discovered. Some asbestos soils were unable to be removed buried near high-voltage power lines at the substation area which is gated and fenced from public access.
The parking lot is currently covered with asphalt and several feet of soil fill over the asbestos contaminated soils. This capping of the asbestos contaminated soils effectively eliminates the risk of human exposure. The property is being considered for future redevelopment and requires the use of institutional controls until any ground-breaking occurs.
The former Intermountain Products site at 733 West 800 South consists of a single building, a dirt lot behind the building and a dirt lot where the railroad spur was located. Soils were excavated to a depth of approximately one-foot deep on the lot behind the building and approximately two-feet deep on the lot where the rail spur was formerly located. Confirmation samples showed no detections of amphibole asbestos and the areas were backfilled with clean fill. Dust and vermiculite insulation, both containing amphibole asbestos, were located in one room inside of the building and was also cleaned to non-detect levels.
For more information on the Salt Lake City vermiculite cleanup activities, contact:
Joyce Ackerman, On-Scene Coordinator |
Craig Barnitz, Project Manger |
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) and EPA want to identify any and all contamination associated with the former Salt Lake Vermiculate sites to insure any possible vermiculite exposure is addressed.
At some Vermiculite Processing sites, neighborhood residents were allowed to take a gravel-like waste rock (referred to as “Stoner Rock”) for gardening and as fill material for driveways and yards. EPA is investigating whether there has been any residential use of vermiculite waste rock in Salt Lake City. If you are aware of any vermiculite waste rock used from this facility please contact EPA to have your yard sampled.
Sonya Pennock
Office of Communications & Public Involvement
U.S. EPA, Region 8
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202-1129
Phone: 1-800-227-8917, ext. 312-6600
E-mail: pennock.sonya@epa.gov
The Utah Department of Health (UDOH), Salt Lake Valley Health Department, and Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), is gathering information to determine the extent of worker exposure at the Salt Lake City Vermiculite sites. As facility worker records no longer exist from the Intermountain Vermiculite facility, there is a lack of historical background to research former employee addresses. Understanding past exposures to Libby asbestos will help determine the health risks.
Investigations by ATSDR at other vermiculite processing plants across the U.S. found employee exposure correlates directly to a higher incidence risk for asbestos related diseases. Asbestos fibers can cause a type of permanent lung damage known as asbestosis. People who have asbestosis often have shortness of breath and increased risk of serious lung infections. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer, and a rare type of cancer known as mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the lungs and abdomen. It can also cause other abnormalities in the lining of the lung, called pleural plaques or pleural thickening. In some cases, these pleural changes may get worse and cause breathing difficulties.
Published reports have shown that even a relatively short-term exposure to Libby asbestos from the processing of vermiculite ore can result in asbestos disease many years later. For health related concerns or questions please contact the local health departments.
Dr. Wayne Ball |
Brian Bennion |
Libby Vermiculite Asbestos Information Web Sites:
EPA:
ATSDR:
UDEQ:
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)
Utah Department of Health
Pictures:
 Raw (right hand) and popped (left hand) vermiculite (Photo source: U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, Denver, Colorado) |
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 Tremolite Asbestos. |
  Vermiculite Samples |
 Vermiculite samples next to a paperclip |
Photo Source: US Environmental Protection Agency
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