Is vermiculite dangerous?

[katie_]

Ive always thought vermiculite caused lung cancer and was very dangerous.
How do you protect youself when using this material...or is the risk different in this form?

 

[GeckoCrossing]

The only vermiculite I recall that was dangerous was the stuff that was produced by the Libby Mine in Montana. I think it was called Zonalite? It had a deposit of asbestos in it and contaminated the vermiculite. And if I remember correctly, the mine hasn't produced any vermiculite in over 10 years. My memory's kind of fuzzy though, so Google might give up some better info.

 

[katie_]

I did google it and it was little help.
Maybe I'll stick with cocofibre to be safe?

 

[GeckoCrossing]

I used vermiculite last year. It's kind of messy and seems to get everywhere. And if it dries out, leaves a coating of dust over everything. I will most likely be switching to coconut fiber soon.

 

[GeckoCrossing]

I found this

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html

Seems like up until 1990 some mines had asbestos deposits and contaminated the vermiculite coming from them. But all I've read only seems to mention vermiculite insulation and the risks of it.

 

[katie_]

Hmmm.
I think I'll just avoid it all together.
I see a lot of people use Perlite, but I have a hard time finding it.

 

[GeckoCrossing]

I found mine at Walmart. I got a 10qt bag made by Schultz for $3.50. No fertilizer or anything added to it

 

[Dimidiata]

Is this the same vermiculite chicken eggs are transported in(for hatching, not eatig)

 

[katie_]

I dont know. I never used anything to hatch my chicken eggs in!

 

[Dimidiata]

XD just transport, not hatch.

 

[30secondstobob]

My first two eggs hatched in the long fibered sphagnum moss they were laid in. I simply transferred the whole clump to a deli cup in my home mede incubator. If the other seven eggs hatch, I'll give it a thumbs up - if not, :main_thumbsdown: Still waiting on a couple that are due any day now, but no issues with mold or eggs turning bad. Bob

 

[roger]

Hmmm.
I think I'll just avoid it all together.
I see a lot of people use Perlite, but I have a hard time finding it.

you are thinking of the asbestos vermicuite used decades ago.The vermiculite of today is harmless

 

[katie_]

you are thinking of the asbestos vermicuite used decades ago.The vermiculite of today is harmless

I was.
My boyfriend told me I was risky and shouldnt go anywhere near it...and I believed him.

 

[Dimidiata]

I thought so, i mean, we use vermiculite in every day use on the farm. me and a few of the guys were just mixing 4 2lb bags of the stuff into some potting soil for our hydroponic stackers, by hand. Im alive!!!!!!!!! XP.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I have used vermiculite for my incubation medium for over 16 years without any issues.

 

[TokayKeeper]

there is fine grain and coarse grain vermiculite. I'd use coarse as the fine grain tends to be powdery and gets everywhere more easily. You can usually find the coarse stuff at nurseries and sometimes Lowes or Home Depot. I've used both for incubation, but now use exclusively coconut fiber.

 

[thegeckoguy25]

It's very messy and what not I would stick with coco fiber.