Old vermiculite insulation

DonPepe

Has anyone had a problem with old vermiculite insulation in the UK?

I want to convert the loft on a house I recently moved into. However, I discovered that the insulation is vermiculite, and was probably installed sometime in 50s-70s. In the US and Canada, there have been major publicity campaigns warning homeowners about pre-1990 vermiculite containing asbestos (due to contamination from a source of the mineral in Montana in the US). The authorities in those countries advise anyone with that insulation wishing to embark on a renovation to get it removed by a licensed asbestos contractor (and this can be seriously expensive).

I was wondering whether these concerns apply in the UK too? There is nothing from the government here nor any coverage in the press. Getting the stuff tested might seem like an obvious answer, but the US EPA currently warn that there is no certain way to test vermiculite for the presence of asbestos. From what I understand, much of the vermiculite sold in UK came from South Africa (rather than Montana). Does anyone know whether the contaminated stuff from the US was sold or used over here? Has anyone in the UK had this problem too?