Harmless to human body
PERLITE’S HEALTH EFFECTE
Perlite has been mined, processed and used safely for the past 50 years for various purposes under the government's permission.
- Water purification filter aid
- Filter aid for medicines
- Filter aid for food, wine and beverages
- Anti-caking
- Horticultural potting soil
- Processing, shipping and storage of meat or poultry products
The Perlite Institute has been supporting a number of research projects related to the health benefits of perlite. According to the research performed by government-run science institutions, there has been no evidence that perlite is harmful to human health.
Perlite has been the subject of numerous health studies conducted by scientific and governmental research organizations. Significantly, no test result or information indicates that perlite poses any health risk. Indeed, the uniform result of all health studies points forcefully to the conclusion that perlite and perlite products are safe for consumer use.
In addition, the safety of perlite is backed by the results of research on worker health. The most recent health study on perlite, which was conducted by Dr. Hans Weill of Tulane University [1992], concluded that workers exposed to perlite are free of any measurable adverse respiratory effects.
However, the most recent health study(1992) of perlite by Dr. Hans Weill of Tulane University concluded that workers exposed to perlite are free of any measurable adverse respiratory effects.
Asbestos-free perlite
The toxic and harmful property of asbestos is widely known. As asbestos is one of the natural minerals, the question of whether asbestos is included in other mineral-based products has been a serious concern. As perlite is also one of the natural minerals, concerns have been raised over the possibility that asbestos may be contained in perlite. In response to such concerns, the Perlite Institute has launched a project that is intended to collect and analyze available data and informative materials related to expanded perlite and perlite mines.
To date, there has been no evidence that perlite contains asbestos, either from contamination or as a secondary component.
To date, there has been no evidence that perlite contains asbestos, either from contamination or as a secondary component. The following test results have been compiled from tests conducted by individual member companies:
| Sample No. |
Perlite type |
Detection limit |
Asbestos type(S) |
Methodology |
| 1 |
ore |
<0.0001% |
ND* |
EPA 600/R-93/116 |
| 2 |
ore |
1% |
ND |
XRD |
| 3 |
ore |
1% |
ND |
PLM |
| 4 |
ore |
any fiber |
ND |
SEM |
| 5 |
ore(coarse) |
any fiber |
ND |
SEM |
| 6 |
ore(fine) |
any fiber |
ND |
SEM |
| 7 |
ore |
any fiber |
ND |
SEM |
| 8 |
ore(coarse) |
any fiber |
ND |
SEM |
| 9 |
ore(fine) |
any fiber |
ND |
SEM |
| 10 |
concrete aggregate |
- |
ND |
XRD &TEM |
| 11 |
cryogenic |
- |
ND |
XRD &TEM |
| 12 |
filteraid |
1% |
ND |
XRD |
| 13 |
horticultural |
1% |
ND |
XRD |
| 14 |
masonty fill |
1% |
ND |
XRD |
| 15 |
micro ballons |
1% |
ND |
XRD |
*ND=none detected, **EPA=EPA test method; XRD=x-ray diffraction; PLM=polarized light microscopy;
**EPA=EPA test method; XRD=x-ray diffraction; PLM=polarized light microscopy; TEM=transmission electron microscopy;
SEM=scanning electron microscope
Perlite is a form of rhyolite characterized by a fine microscopic and amorphous structure (i.e., a volcanic glass), whereas asbestos is a mineral and exists as a fibrous form of amphibole. The two are rarely, if ever, seen in the same deposit.
These results are reassuring and confirm what has been previously accepted based upon the different geologic origins of perlite and asbestos [i.e., perlite is a form of rhyolite characterized by a fine microscopic and amorphous structure, a volcanic glass; whereas asbestos is a mineral and exists as a fibrous form of amphibole. The two are rarely, if ever, seen in the same deposit.]. The Perlite Institute will continue to monitor this issue and as future tests become available, the results will be made available to the public.
KyungDong One's perlite products are harmless to human health and don't contain any asbestos at all. You can see the certified material test report in our archive, which demonstrates that KyungDong One's perlite contains absolutely no asbestos.
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