Looks like vermiculite to me. Google it. It is normally asbestos containing and should be abated by a professional. Best thing to do is to have it tested before you disturb it any more.

I wouldn't worry about it, asbestos or not.

Vermiculite (perlite) insulation falling down from the attic.

Don't panic, just don't grind it up and inhale it.

Some vermiculite insulation has asbestos, some doesn't. However, that small a quantity of vermiculite is not going to pose any significant risk, even if it has some asbestos content.

On the other hand, if you ever get into a major remodel and expect to disturb large quantities of it -- like opening up walls, or tearing down ceilings where there is a layer of vermiculite sitting on the ceiling -- you should get it tested for asbestos first, and have a professional asbestos abatement service deal with it if it tests positive.

Apparently I am the only one that has worked as an abatement contractor in this bunch. While is it not gloom and doom and can be handled and abated by a homeowner, it is not advisable to "not worry about it".

How does vermiculite in a wall, even with traces of asbestos, harm a resident?

Question 2, third sentence.

Quite simply...they inhale asbestos fibers when it falls out of their wall in a renovation. Does it necessitate abating all the asbestos if they aren't renovating or opening up walls...no.

If the homeowner is going to be doing any heavy renovations or additional wiring, it should be handled with care and possibly abated by a certified firm. TSI is fine too as long as it isn't disturbed but I am still waiting to see the +100 year old home that doesn't need regular work.

To say to not "worry about it, asbestos or not." is not accurate. I am not suggesting that the homeowner run from the home screaming, but they need to handle it properly or defer to an abatement contractor if they are going to continue opening up spaces and exposing it.

Windows on Washington:

I agree, but that's not the case here. This homeowner opened up an outlet and got a sprinkle of vermiculite. I'll stick by my first comment.

Quoth Paracelsus (the father of toxicology) "The dose makes the poison"

The dose here is infinitesimal.

Perlite is volcanic glass and is normally white. It should not contain asbestos.

This stuff looks like vermiculite which is mineral based so it can contain asbestos fibers if present in the raw material from the mine. Vermiculite sold as Zonolite for attic insulation came from the Libby mine in Montana and contained asbestos. W R Grace was a major supplier in the US and was forced into bankruptcy.

Here is a website that explains how you might be able to get reimbursed for removal of Zonolite attic insulation from the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust (ZAI Trust) funded last year by the W R Grace reorganization. It contains sampling instructions and other advice.

That much of it should not be falling out of an electrical wall box. Did you remove the electrical box or just the device? It might need to be investigated by a professional. Is there or was there any knob & tube wiring in the house?

Joseph Corlett, LLC,

I would agree with you if that is the case. It still should be handled carefully and minimize its disturbance.