Vermiculite Consumer Products Vermiculite is a naturally
occurring mineral compound composed of shiny flakes, resembling
mica. When heated to a high temperature, flakes of vermiculite
expand as much as 8-30 times their original size. Historically,
much of the world's supply of vermiculite came from a mine near
Libby, Montana. The Libby mine also had a natural deposit of
asbestos, and the vermiculite from Libby is contaminated with
asbestos. The information below describes possible health
hazards posed by products made from asbestos-contaminated
vermiculite. How does asbestos cause health problems? Asbestos
can cause health problems when it is breathed into the lungs. If
products containing asbestos are disturbed, thin, lightweight
asbestos fibers are released into the air. Persons breathing the
air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure increases
the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in
lung tissue over time may result in lung diseases such as
asbestosis, lung cancer, or me