H Hornblower wrote:
I tried to purchase a bag of vermiculite in a store in Ohio
yesterday. The clerk said they didn't carry it anymore because it was
illegal. Any truth to this?
I remember something a while back about prolonged exposure and
cancer risk but it wasn't garden related.
Perlite is usually considered botanically equivalent to vermiculite
provided it is sold for botanical/horticultural purposes. Masonry
perlite may contain large quantities of boron and harm plants.
"Asbestos in Vermiculite Garden Products
Because it provides aeration and drainage, vermiculite has been used in
fertilizers, pesticides, potting mixes, and composts. However, this mica
ore may contain asbestos. In a study of gardening products containing
vermiculite, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found trace
amounts of asbestos in 17 of 38 products tested ( Sampling and Analysis
of Consumer Garden Products that Contain Vermiculite, EPA, August 2000
). Four of these products contained substantial amounts of asbestos:
Schultz's Horticultural Vermiculite, Earthgro's Best Vermiculite,
Hoffman's Vermiculite and Ace Horticultural Grade Vermiculite.
Although the EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission believe that
the potential hazard to consumers is low, many consumer advocates
disagree ( Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 23, 2000 ). They point out
that garden products are not labeled for asbestos content, and that the
EPA has found it necessary to issue instructions concerning vermiculite
in garden products. The EPA recommendations include using premixed
potting soils, which are moist and less likely to generate dust, and
using alternatives to vermiculite such as peat, sawdust, perlite or
bark. The agency also recommends that gardeners who do use straight
vermiculite keep the material damp, use it in a well-ventilated area,
and avoid getting vermiculite dust on their clothing."
[
http://www.asbestosnetwork.com/exposure/ex_consumer.htm]
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