The US government is getting a bad rap after no response to parties concerned with Zonolite brand insulation. Zonilite brand was popular in the 1950’s and is still present in an estimated thirty-seven million buildings and homes across America. The product was made with naturally occurring vermiculite, which normally would be no cause for alarm. However, after high numbers of asbestos related illnesses became associated with Zonolite brand insulated homes, an investigation was done by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Vermiculite used in Zonolite brand insulation came from one particular mine. This mine also held strands of asbestos, which tainted the vermiculite now present in millions of US attics.
Although the US government is aware of the potential damage possible by this insulation, there seems to be no official government response to the situation. This is additionally concerning to Joel Shufro, executive director for the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health. He said, “Given the tremendous government-funded winterization programs, we can expect exposure to workers to increase as they disturb the old asbestos-carrying insulations. Failure of the government to inform workers and others who may be exposed to this hazard is incorrigible. This is a well-known, aggressive carcinogen and unless people know about it, it’s a prescription for death.” Shufro adds, “I am amazed and appalled that nothing has happened.”
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