Handle a vermiculite (Zonolite) attic insulation discovery and, if eligible, file a removal reimbursement claim

Steps

1. Do not disturb the material: per EPA's asbestos-contaminated vermiculite guidance (epa.gov/asbestos), assume attic vermiculite installed before 1990 is Libby, MT-sourced and may contain asbestos, since Libby supplied over 70% of U.S. vermiculite from 1919-1990.
2. Advise the homeowner that EPA's default recommendation is to leave undisturbed insulation in place rather than test or remove it, unless renovation/access requires disturbance.
3. If removal is needed, use a trained/licensed asbestos abatement professional, not a general insulation contractor, and follow state asbestos-work notification rules in addition to EPA guidance.
4. Check whether the homeowner qualifies for the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust (zonoliteatticinsulation.com), a court-established fund reimbursing a percentage of qualifying removal/reinsulation costs up to a periodically adjusted cap; verify the current percentage and cap directly on the Trust site rather than citing a fixed dollar figure, since it has changed over time.
5. Have the homeowner retain before/after photos, contractor invoices, and proof of payment, since the Trust's claim form requires this documentation.