Vermiculite - false negative result?

Hi there.

I found some vermiculite last year, in my loft.

After an internet search and shi**ing my pants for a bit, I sent some off and it came back negative (I took samples from a couple of places).

However, I happened to come across a Canadian website that suggests that vermiculite can give false negatives and that you need to test at least three samples for an all clear.

Further, rather than take samples from the top (like) I did, you need to dig down and get some from the bottom, as asbestos is heavier and settles.

What should I do?

Is this scaremongering or should I rest, safe in the knowledge that I am safe being in my loft?

Vermiculite in this country is very unlikely to have been contaminated with asbestos.

I suggest that you stop worrying. You've already had it tested and its negative. The vermiculite is in the loft, you're not disturbing it, its not dangerous.

You could keep on testing it if you really want to find asbestos. Eventually you might find a bit of vermiculate that's been contaminated with naturally airborne asbestos or some asbestos brake lining dust from a 1960's car.

Thanks for that - I went out and bought an asbestos mask, just in case!

The problem is, with the knowledge that it was safe, I bagged up a load to put down down a load of fibreglass insulation in its place - I was worried that the dust could have covered everything in my loft, which is quite commonly used by my family.

It is very reassuring, though, that you say that it is very unlikely to have been contaminated in this country (there are a few scary stories that I did read about some batches getting through to the UK) but 99% of the stuff on the internet all comes from USA/Canada, where they really do seem to be really suffering, still.

So you think I should just move on with life and accept that I have been luck this time (or not unlucky, as the case may be)?

I put vermiculite and perlite in with my potted plants. They seem Ok, as do I

It's extremely unlikely you have been exposed to asbestos, as you said yourself, it was a US / Canadian issue, with their mines.

I kept it in my loft, and went over the top with more Rockwool - it all helps! Just a bugger if you need to make any holes in the ceiling!