Fiberglass insulation: How safe is it the the health of an installer not wearing some respitory protection?

Question

Given asbestus fibers cause asbestosis and somel mining activities may cause siliconosis, why would not fiberglass airborne fibers not cause health problems as well. Small glass fibers getting into the lungs may never be expelled and may cause both irritation and health problems?

Answer 1

You should contact an occupational medicine specialist or organization e.g. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or manufactures of the fiberglass for specfic information regarding the use of fiberglass in your area. However, because breathing fibers may irritate the airways resulting in coughing and a scratchy throat, Fiberglass insulation packages display cancer warning labels required by the OSHA based on determinations made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) from studies conducted on animals.

Even with the warnings, many installers of fiberglass and even bricklayers using materials containing silica, hardly show any concern for these warnings. What makes matters worse and more difficult to enforce the warning is when many of these workers have been doing the type of work for a long time and have complained of no problems.

These cases do happen, however. So if you preferr to use protection, then use protection (I do) even if those around you preferr not to, because some people are more sensitive to the materials than others.

Hope this answers your question!

Answer 2

Only Owens Corning Fiberglass Insulation is pink, almost all other manufacturers have a dark yellow fiberglass. The reason for this is that Owens Corning's mascot is the Pink Panther, hence the pink fiberglass. There is no structural advantage for the pink color except to seperate its product from the other brands since fiberglass is a commodity market.

Answer 3

Fiberglass is just what it says it is,small pieces of glass. If you don't want this going into your lungs wear a mask.

They are studying fiberglass as we speak, they do not know for sure if it is not unlike asbestos and can cause the same problems. Asbestos in the lung is a sliver that reacts with the lining of the lung. Glass fiberglass is slivers. The people studying this are the ACGIH American Council of Government Hygienists.

Answer 4

Not as much of a threat as asbestos. But why take a chance. Get a mask at your hardware store and use it. Also invest in a tyvek suit and tape up the cuffs, you will be glad you did (itch wise).

Answer 5

Fiberglas can build up in your lungs like any other airborne crap

BUT odds are if you show up for work with a good mask they will fire you