Safety Concerns about Fiberglass

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Facts About Fiberglass (Source: www.lungusa.org)

What is Fiberglass
Is Fiberglass Insulation Safe?
What Steps Do I Take To Reduce Exposure?
Installation and Clean-Up

What is Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a man-made product that is composed of natural ingredients such as sand and recycled products such as window glass and bottles. The ingredients are melted and spun to create small strands of fiberglass that together form "glass wool".

Fiberglass insulation has been used since the 1930s and is now the most widely used home insulator. As an energy saver, fiberglass insulation saves the consumer money and helps keep buildings warm in winter and cool in the summer. Insulation saves energy and reduces the demand for new power plants, which reduces emissions of air pollutants to the environment and helps prevent global warming. To maximize energy efficiency, it is important to reduce air leaks that may occur around any areas in your home that are not sealed. These may include windows; doors; fireplaces; heating, ventilation and air conditioning ductwork; and perimeter joints. Leaks can be controlled with the use of housewrap, caulking and sealing of areas with leaks.

Fiberglass insulation also helps control noise in buildings, cars, and appliances. Fiberglass insulation is commonly used in furnaces and duct systems that deliver air to occupied buildings and homes and effectively minimizes transmission of noise.

Is Fiberglass Insulation Safe?

Yes, fiberglass building insulation is safe when it is properly installed.

Direct contact with fiberglass materials or exposure to airborne fiberglass dust may irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Fiberglass can cause itching due to mechanical irritation from the fibers. This is not an allergic reaction to the material. Breathing fibers may irritate the airways resulting in coughing and a scratchy throat. Some people are sensitive to the fibers, while others are not. Fiberglass insulation packages display cancer warning labels. These labels are required by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) based on determinations made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP).

• 1994- NTP listed fiberglass as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" based on animal data.
• 1998- The American Conference of Govern- mental Industrial Hygienists reviewed the available literature and concluded glass wool to be "carcinogenic in experimental animals at a relatively high dose, by route(s) of administra- tion, at site(s), of histologic type(s) or by mechanism(s) that are not considered relevant to worker exposures".
• 1999- OSHA and the manufacturers volunta- rily agreed on ways to control workplace exposures to avoid irritation. As a result, OSHA has stated that it does not intend to regulate exposure to fiberglass insulation. The voluntary agreement, known as the Health & Safety Partnership Program includes a recom- mended exposure level of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc) based on an 8-hour workday and provides comprehensive work practices.
• 2000- The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reported that epidemiological studies of glass fiber manufacturing workers indicate "glass fibers do not appear to increase the risk of respiratory system cancer". The NAS supported the exposure limit of 1.0 f/cc that has been the industry recommendation since the early 1990s.
• 2001- The IARC working group revised their previous classification of glass wool being a possible carcinogen. It is currently considered not classifiable as a human carcinogen. Studies done in the past 15 years since the previous report was released, do not provide enough evidence to link this material to any cancer risk.

What Steps Can I Take to Reduce Exposure?

There are several ways you can minimize exposure to fiberglass material. Be sure to "work smart” when insta- lling fiberglass insulation in your home. Follow similar safety steps any time you remove fiberglass insulation or undertake a home improvement project that involves working with or around fiberglass insulation.

During installation follow the directions on the package as well as these safety steps:

Skin

• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing and long pants.
• Do not tape sleeves or pants at wrists or ankles.
• Wear gloves.
• Do not scratch or rub your skin if fiberglass particles accumulate on your skin.
• When you finish, wash skin or shower with mild soap and warm, running water.

Eyes

• Wear safety glasses with side shields.
• Wear a hat.
• Do not rub your eyes while you are working with fiberglass. Be sure to complete clean up before rubbing your eyes or scratching your skin.

Nose, Mouth, and Throat

If you experience irritation of the nose, mouth, or throat you should consider wearing an "N 95" particulate respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. If you are working in a dusty environ- ment, or are working with fiberglass insulation overhead, a disposable dust respirator may be a good idea. Be sure to read and follow the respirator manufacturer's instructions regarding selection and proper use of respirators. Most home improvement stores sell these types of disposable respirators.

Installation and Clean-Up

Follow these steps and be sure to read and follow manufacturer's instructions carefully.

• Keep your workspace clean.
• Do not handle fiberglass scrap more than necessary. Have a waste bin or plastic trash bag close by at all times.
• Use correct cutting tools such as a sharp utility knife and a straight edge.
• When cleaning your work area, be orga- nized in your approach so that you do not spread fibers back into an area you have cleaned previously.
• Make sure all installed insulation is never left exposed in an occupied area. If the insulation does not have any protective covering or facing, it may cause irritation to anyone coming into direct contact with the glass fibers. If the insulation has a paper or foil covering it presents a potential fire hazard.
• Change work clothes after you finish your fiberglass insulation project.
• Wash work clothes separately and wipe out washer after cycle is complete.
• As with any other building material the fiberglass insulation has to be clean and dry. If insulation is wet, it can become contaminated with mold.
• If a remodeling project involves removal of fiberglass insulation, follow the installa- tion safety steps listed above.

 

Is Fiberglass A Health Hazard?

(Source: http://www.toolboxtopics.com/Gen%20Industry/Is%20Fiberglass%20a%20Health%20Hazard.htm)

Everyone has heard about the association between lung cancer and asbestos. Since some forms of asbestos are similar in appearance to fiberglass fibers, many people wonder if handling fiber-glass could also result in the development of cancer or other serious health hazards. Scientists have made over 400 studies of fiberglass in an attempt to answer this question. The conclusion is that it will not, because its properties are very different from asbestos. OSHA confirmed these findings in 1991 when it decided to regulate fiberglass as a nuisance dust, and not as a cancer causing agent. The state of California, neverthless, still requires that fiberglass be labeled as a potential cancer causing agent.
The principal difference between glass fibers and asbestos fibers is their size and the way the fibers break down. Glass fibers are cylindrical single fibers that can never split lengthwise; they only break across the fiber. As they break, they form tiny fragments that no longer have the properties of a fiber. Asbestos fibers, on the other hand, are always present as bundles, never as a single fiber. Asbestos fibers fracture only lengthwise when the bundles break apart, releasing thousands of long tiny fibers. When these are inhaled, they become trapped in the small sacs of the lungs known as alveoli. Because asbestos fibers are long, sharp, and irritating to lung tissue, the alveoli close up and trap them in the lungs. This eventually results in the lungs becoming hard, fibrous and inelastic. Over time, the continued irritations cause cancer in some individuals.
Because fiberglass breaks across the fiber to form tiny fragments, the tissue response is very different when these particles are inhaled. When fiberglass fragments are inhaled and deposited in the small air sacs of the lung, the alveoli do not close up and trap the particles. The particles are expelled from the alveoli and there is a rapid clearance of fiberglass dust particles from the lungs.
However, fiberglass presents other problems-such as irritations of the eyes, skin, or respiratory tract. The mechanical action of the fibers scraping against skin may cause a condition known as dermatitis. To protect yourself, wear long sleeve shirts and pants to keep the fibers off your skin, and wear clean clothes every day. Gloves and eye protection may also help. Use soap and warm water to remove any fibers that you do get on your skin. Dust is produced when mat or cloth is rolled out, where chopper guns are used, and in finishing operations where flashing is removed or sanding occurs. So always wear a dust mask in these areas to help avoid inhaling glass fibers.

The primary hazard associated with fiberglass is the chemicals used during the fabrication or lay up process. Styrene monomer, or raw resin, is catalyzed with an organic peroxide; the most common is methyl ethyl ketone peroxide. Cobalt compounds, often used as accelerators, can result in allergic dermatitis or asthma like conditions. Acetone is a central nervous system depressant used for clean up of tools, utensils, and spray equipment. The important thing to remember about these chemicals is that they are health hazards when inhaled; proper respiratory equipment must be worn and adequate ventilation provided. You should also be aware that these chemicals can form flammable or explosive concentrations at normal room temperatures, so proper handling and ventilation is essential.
Working with fiberglass material should not be dangerous if you are properly trained, and if you use appropriate protective equipment. Be sure to do so!

 

A Description of Fiberglass by State Compensation Insurance Fund

Occupational exposure to fiberglass occurs in the production, installation, maintenance and repair, and demolition of fiberglass materials.

Exposure to fiberglass can result from direct contact with fiberglass materials and fiberglass dust. Such contact causes irritation to the eyes, skin, upper respiratory tract, and the lungs, resulting in eye irritation, skin rash, nasal congestion, sore throat, and coughing. Irritation of the respiratory tract from fiberglass has been detected in work environments with airborne concentrations of less than 1 fiber per cubic centimeter (cc). In addition to fiberglass exposure, workers may be exposed to chemicals that are associated in the manufacturing of fiberglass products. These chemicals include:

• Epoxy resins that are used to strengthen, harden or give flexibility to fiberglass. Inhaling epoxy resin vapors can result in shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest. Direct contact of epoxy resins with the skin can also cause rash.
• Typically polyester resin containing styrene monomer is used in fiberglass applications. Styrene can be extremely irritating to the eyes and upper respiratory tract and can also cause headaches and dizziness.
• Acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) are commonly used chemicals in fiberglass spray-up and lay-up operations. These chemicals can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat. Inhaling these chemical vapors may also cause drowsiness, difficulty in breathing, and damage to the lungs and central nervous system.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Glass (Fibrous) is 1 fiber/cc. This Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is enforceable by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health under the California Department of Industrial Relations, Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 5155 Airborne Contaminants.

Prevention and protection measures should include the following:

• Engineering controls, such as local exhaust ventilation, should be employed to remove contaminants out of the worker’s breathing zone, as well as the workplace environment.
• Appropriate respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment, such as goggles, coveralls, and gloves are recommended when working with fiberglass, as well as any chemicals that are used in the manufacturing of fiberglass products.
• Washing facilities and showers should be made available to the workers to use before they change into their street clothes.
• HEPA vacuuming, wet sweeping, and wash down procedures are helpful in reducing the dust associated with fiberglass. Dry sweeping or any other type of clean-up methods that spreads the dust contamination should be avoided.

For further reading:

Breathing Uneasy, The Washington Post Sunday Magazine, June 22, 1997

Fiberglass: Use It With Caution!, Environ, #9 (1989), p. 17. by John Bower (Copyright 1989)