The danger of asbestos has been overblown quite a bit by lawyers trying to make a buck off of lawsuits.--as has most every other chemical or mineral in existence! While it is dangerous to a certain extent, it is only dangerous when you breath in the asbestos fibers into your lungs. It is harmless (except that it is irritating) on the skin, if ingested, etc., just don't breath it in if you can avoid it. Keeping the vermiculite damp will drastically reduce any dust, and thus, reduce the remote risk further. I use it in all my egg laying containers for my geckos and for incubating eggs, but always damp. It used to be used as an insulation for homes and was "sprayed" into attics, into walls, etc. Some installers did get sick, but it was a good insulation in that it didn't burn, and it did insulate. I wonder if the fiberglass (that replaced it) that is also known to cause lung problems, is really any safer--or if the lawyers even care if it is or isn't? I try to hold my breath when working with it, until it is damp, and I work outside where the dust will blow away instead of building up in a room.



(By the way, I have an uncle that worked for years (about 30 years total) in a steel mill that was thick with asbestos dust. He told me how it was difficult to see across the room at times because the dust was so thick. He is currently a very healthy 83 years old and is an avid sportsman--fishing,hunting,etc. in areas we city folk would consider too harsh to even be able to enjoy the fishing/hunting,etc.) I don't consider it to be much of a risk, but using care doesn't hurt.



Rodney

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