What happens when you inhale it or get it in your eyes, nose, and mouth? For example someone isn't wearing a mask or goggles while removing and installing insulation. What are the harmful effects? What happens when the particals enter your body? Does your body reject them or absorb? Does it continue to irritate forever? Help.. I am concerned for myself and someone I know!! Thanks!
2007-03-03 05:38:31 · 4 answers · asked by ? 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
Fibreglass insulation is a major irritant and it says so on the packaging. It has been one of the major problems with lung damage in construction work and home renovations in the past. N95 masks are a little expensive but they are much cheaper than a lifetime of respiratory problems.
The tiny particles get into the air, into the furnace system and into your lungs, nose, eyes, and skin. Once in the lung they get lodged there and can cause infections, inflammation etc. If you have been involved in a project and are having problems now you need to go and see a doctor. There is no way around it. If you are considering a project buy the mask. One is good for 10 to 12 hours, wear long sleeves and pants, and protect your eyes.
2007-03-03 05:47:04 · answer #1 · answered by Suean 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll tell you a funny story about fiberglass insulation and hopefully this will clarify the what's of insulation. When I was a teenager, I used to work part-time for my Dad who ran a construction concern at the time. One hot summers day, I was asked to put fiberglass insulation batts between the outside wall studs of a new home he was building. it was hot and the job is fairly easy. I sweat in a snowstorm , so you can imagine that on a hot day I would be awash in perspiration. Well I took off my shirt, even though others around me told me not to. Did I listen? No. Before i got even an hour into the job, I was itching everywhere, due to the glass particles that fall off the batts as they are being placed. I was especially itchy around the waistband of my jeans. I couldn't continue the job due to the amount of utter discomfort I was enduring. I had to book off, and as I ran to my car, I was stripping off my jeans just to ease the itching. In my haste to get home and shower, I didn't hear a most vital peice of information, one that iwll pass onto you...DON'T USE HOT WATER. When soothing the skin from fiberglass saturation, you should use a soft sponge and warm to cool water, brushing downwards and staying under the flow. Do not wear jeans or other tight fitting clothing whilst working with fiberglassbatts, and always wear a face mask to prevent inhalation of the fibers. Always wear coveralls, goggles, gloves and a hat, preferably a toque, to prevent contact with skin or eyes. If you have, like myself done all the wrong things, when it comes to batts, after your initial experience, one usually becomes immuned to itching from fiberglass. I don't know why. Hope this helps.
2007-03-03 13:59:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing unless its a large amount. With masive quantities, you might get headachs and alergy like symptons. In that case, see a doctor.
2007-03-03 13:46:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you really need to wear an aspirator if you haven't already. inhilation of carcinogenic materials such as fiberglass are one of the leading causes of stratified squamous cell carcinoma, a.k.a. cancer. you might want to go get checked out! i hope you're alright!
2007-03-03 15:28:26 · answer #4 · answered by butterflyprincess610 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋