vermiculite

[Sodak]

Many years ago there was a mine in Montana (iirc) that had asbestos mingled in with the vermiculite. That caused the asbestos related health problems in the miners.
Now the mining companies are supposed to make sure there is no asbestos in vermiculite, as I understand it.
There seems to be vermiculite in nearly every prepared potting mix, and it is frequently recommended in "homemade" mixes.
I have an acquaintance who is convinced that Vermiculite is always bad and the mining companies are not trustworthy at all (he compares to Monsanto) and asbestos is always present in vermiculite. My research (Google and Wikipedia)would seem to indicate the asbestos is no longer a problem. I have used Vermiculite a lot and it seems to be okay, but then so it seemed with asbestos to many in the mid 20th century.

I am interested in TVille's thoughts.
TIA,
Dick

[bower]

An interesting question, I'd like to hear what others have found out.

I haven't used vermiculite but I've used perlite to make potting mix for indoor peppers. Perlite I believe is volcanic so it wouldn't contain asbestos. But it does have a very fine dust associated with the 'puffed rocks' and that dust is nasty. I pour it in very gently at arms length and cover immediately with moist potting soil, but really a mask would not be a bad idea.

Actually I hate the stuff. It looks ugly to me, like industrial waste or so, and the cost is ridiculous (no volcanoes in this part of the world, so shipped in from afar). I won't be switching to vermiculite either for the same reasons, and now another one, as asbestos is even worse.

What are the best alternatives, I wonder?

[Father'sDaughter]

The only way to know for sure if there's asbestos in it or not is to send a sample off to a lab for testing.

And here's the EPA's take on it -- http://toxics.supportportal.com/link...I-be-concerned

[Cole_Robbie]

The stuff with asbestos came from one mine, which has long ago closed. I start most of my seeds in vermiculite.

I think it's perfectly safe in regard to asbestos, but keep in mind that inhaling the dust of vermiculite or perlite is still extremely bad for you.

I buy mine in the insulation section at Menard's: http://www.menards.com/main/building...908-c-5777.htm On the back of the bag, it says "Sun-Gro Horticultural Company, product of Canada."

[Worth1]

I saw the show about the mine in TV some years ago.
Those poor people.
Montana has for years paid the price for pollution from mining companies.

At one time the government (and maybe now) would let the mine owners come up with the environmental impact and come up with the plan to clean up after the mine plays out.
They then work the mine and filter the money to other companies.
Right before the mine plays out they file bankruptcy.
They walk away and let the tax payer foot the clean up cost which sometimes will last just about forever.
They get away with it because their product doesn't have a brand name so people cant boycott a particular mine or company.
These things include but are not limited to metals such as gold and silver.
The products go out on the open market for industry to buy and in turn end up in just about everything we buy.

A nasty little trick that has been going on for years.

Worth

[bower]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I saw the show about the mine in TV some years ago.
Those poor people.
Montana has for years paid the price for pollution from mining companies.

At one time the government (and maybe now) would let the mine owners come up with the environmental impact and come up with the plan to clean up after the mine plays out.
They then work the mine and filter the money to other companies.
Right before the mine plays out they file bankruptcy.
They walk away and let the tax payer foot the clean up cost which sometimes will last just about forever.
They get away with it because their product doesn't have a brand name so people cant boycott a particular mine or company.
These things include but are not limited to metals such as gold and silver.
The products go out on the open market for industry to buy and in turn end up in just about everything we buy.

A nasty little trick that has been going on for years.

Worth

That's exactly what they do in Canada... and not just mining companies either. Every enterprise that had a good thing going with government (subsidies, tax breaks, resource rights, facilities purchased for $1,...etc...etc.) does the same. And the mess and damage is what we are left with.

[Tormato]

I hold my breath, cut the bag of vermiculite open, dump it into a large bucket, walk away, and exhale. Next, I hold my breath, hose the bucket, walk away, exhale. Hold my breath, stir it up so it's all wet, walk away, exhale. Then it gets mixed with peat, compost, etc...