Perlite

I am not sure where to post this, but hope it fits here.

A couple of years ago (winter '01 I think) our newspaper, the Columbus Dispatch, did a series of articles about The Scotts Company, and the fact that many of their products contain perlite from the Libby Mine, and is contaminated with asbestos. Some of the workers at the Marysville (OH) plant became ill with asbestos poisoning (I can't remember the medical term).

I have been very careful when handling my stock of perlite after reading that; I am out now and wonder if anyone has energy to research this, before I go buy more. From what I recall, all the retailers of perlite got their product from that mine, and so were all at risk of being contaminated with asbestos. Do they now? Do we need to continue to wear respirators when handling dry inerts?

Got any investigative reporters here at the Garden? This is an issue that affects the health of all of us, so can someone step up to the plate?

I recall an small bit by Paul James on "Gardening by the Yard" in which he mentioned this. I believe the upshot was - don't snort the stuff. Like everything in the garden, treat it with respect. Asbestos is only dangerous when it is friable (i.e. can fly loose in the wind) is you are concerned, wear a mask and keep the vermiculite moist. A couple of sites I located as epa (who we have grown to love and TRUST) http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/verm.html#Fact , and the perlite institute (let us guess who funds them?) http://www.perlite.org/health.htm

lupinelover, I am interested in your note about Perlite being contaminated by asbestos.Then George4tax, mentioned both perlite and vermiculite. I think they are different products. Perlite is expanded rock particles. My daughter told me to be careful using vermiculite as it could be contaminated with asbestos. I used all I had last year and did not buy anymore. I would like to know more about both perlite and vermiculite. Donna

Vermiculite, I believe, is the problem product.

Read this: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/vermiculite_overview.html

and this:http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/verm.html

for more information.

there is a waring on the outside of Perlite bags not to breathe the dust. this I didnt see this year until I breathed the dust and was reading the info printed on the bag.

I've known that about vermiculite for a long time. I should buy some sand and it, they make a good addition to "propagation soil".

Yes, the dust is the dangerous part.

So I guess we should all keep wearing our respirators whenever we handle any type of soil-less products forever. Mark, I hope you had one on when you read the warning on the bag!

Burying the possibly-contaminated ingredients into the soil in my yard doesn't make me worry; having the dry dust of it flying through the air until it gets washed down into the ground does make me worried.

Most of us aren't aware of it, but most of the "inert" ingredients that are spread on lawns and gardens (fertilizer, weed-preventers, etc) are attached to perlite and/or vermiculite. So there is an extra reason to wear face protection when you are out spreading dry materials, or if one of your neighbors is.

no mask cos I read the read after filling a barrel with Perlite after the fog billowed out of it into my face

Thank you for the information!

I am very concerned as I'm asthmatic..

I use all of scotts products. I just purchased a large bag of vermiculite.
Anyone know why anything this dangerous stays on the market?

"Anyone know why anything this dangerous stays on the market?"

#1 Because everyone keeps using it without reading the warnings on the packages.

#2 Because unless you use only dry perlite and vermiculite on a consistent basis, and toss it up into the air, making a dust cloud, you're not going to suffer asbestos poisoning.

Warning labels are there to read prior to using a product. That's why they're on the outside of the package, and not on the inside for reading once you've opened it.

-Jennifer

my friend who bought me the perlite told me a few days later that she always adds a watering can of water to the bag before she does anything with it.

I buy large bags of perlite/vermiculite/sphagnum, and it is impractical to moisten them, then dry them out for later storage (they last me about 2 years). That is why I wear a respirator.

I don't believe Scotts brand is any better/worse than any of the others; it is just that this one brand was first brought to my attention, because it is a local company (some of the workers got ill, and a reporter nosed out the story). After doing research it seemed that all the companies used this one particular mine that was asbestos-laden.

But the information that dumbfounded me at first was that this was also (very likely) the inert ingredients in most garden products. Companies are not required to detail the inerts, only the actives.

I am considering designing a "gardening combat suit" that would include a wide-brim sunhat with a mesh veil over the shoulders; a backpack respirator; special long-sleeved shirt that blocks the UV rays; elbow-length plastic-lined gloves made of thick leather; pants of the same fabric as the shirt, but with elastic cuffs to fit inside boots; knee-high boots made with very thick rubber soles; thick socks. And of course we can't forget the 90 sunblock and the DEET insect repellent. Ah, the healthful benefits of the great outdoors and gardening *ironic snicker*

Or perhaps we should be designing robots to do our gardening, while we sit inside with the climate control system filtering out all impurities and allergens, keeping us at optimal temperatures for good health. We could have another robot to bring us regular healthy snacks. A monitoring system would alert us to the presence of insects, pollution and changes in the weather. The fragrance of herbs and flowers could be captured and saved, so we could enjoy them at our convenience. Oh, and a special feature of the climate control could be a daily blast of sunshine to provide us with vitamin D. Those of us who suffer from SAD could program the system to beam extra sunshine, which would come from the Sunshine Preservation Association (SPA). A built in mood sensor would automatically flood the room with negative ions if we became moody. Since aromas could be stored and accessed at will, we could set the controls to subtly activate the fragrances known to have a positive effect on others in our presence. Ooooh, a pheromone dispenser, yeah!

Aimee, we will be sure to include one of these machines in your new garden! Sounds awfully good.

Note on my post earlier: what I was describing is kind of what I look like when I am going out on particularly bad days. I didn't mean to imply anyone else should go to these extremes. Please accept my apology for any offense. None was intended.