Fiberglass
insulation or glass wool is a human-made glassy material. Its formation is done
by dragging strands of glass into thin fibers. When you come into direct
contact, you can get affected with it either it is during the manufacturing
process or when it is being used in a construction site. Workers who install or
remove insulation frequently come into contact with fiberglass. Landowners can
also come across fiberglass insulation throughout mending or clearing out the
loft.
If the
insulation does not seal properly off, it can get into air vents and mix
through the building. Usually, fiberglass insulation is not considered to be
dangerous; however, it can bother the skin as well as the respiratory system.
Material Used in Fiberglass Insulation
Do you know
what fiberglass made of is?
Fiberglass is
not a natural material; instead, it is a synthetic one. It contains a plastic
matrix that is often made of a thermosetting polymer like polyester resin,
epoxy, a thermoplastic, or a vinyl ester. The matrix is strengthened with glass
fibers. The primary material is silica used in fibers, which is a type of
silicon oxide polymer that does not have a melting point and has not been used
for the stiffness possessions. Commonly, silica is in sand or quartz, and it is
used to manufacture several kinds of glass, including optical fibers, drinking
glasses, and window glass. Many types of fiberglass exist that can be
distinguished by their chemical bonding, such as:
· A-Glass
· E-Glass
· C-Glass
· D-Glass
· R-Glass
· S-Glass
· E-CR Glass
Often, fiberglass insulation comes in the form of a blanket
or as loose-fill. It is also available in the form of rigid boards and as duct
insulation. Comparatively, it is affordable and easy to install.
You can have
the following problems with fiberglass insulation:
Skin Irritation
When your bare
skin directly comes into contact with fiberglass, the sharp ends of strands can
cause irritation through scratching, which can make small cuts. It will be a
momentary effect, but it can be uncomfortable. It is known as mechanical
irritation, as the fiberglass does not react with the skin, it only rubs
against it. So, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not
categorize fiberglass as an irritant. It is because this term is used for the
substances that cause chemical reactions.
Aerial Particles
When fiberglass
is disturbed, it releases small fibers and particles into the air. Most of them
are small enough to be breathed in by anyone in the surrounding. Fiberglass
strands that enter into the respiratory system can source irritation in the
same way as they do when touched to the skin. Everything, the nose, throat, and
lungs can get affected, as with the skin, although the irritation will be
momentary. No evidence is made of long-term damage, and workers who come into
contact are not at higher risk of lung and breathing issues.
Fiberglass Safety Precautions
Do you really
think fiberglass is dangerous?
Generally, it
is a fact that fiberglass is an irritant; it immediately is apparent when
handling the pink insulation in houses. Direct contact with wool fiberglass
insulation can result in skin irritation like redness and inflammation, along
with breathing difficulty. Normally, such irritations will subside after
contacting with fiberglass ceases. However, still, many concerns exist that
fiberglass can cause more serious problems.
Just like
fiberglass, asbestos is a silicate fiber. It is able to deposit respirable
fibers into the air. It usually has small particles of 0.01 micrometers wide.
When a person works in a setting where these tiny particles are present, and
get inhaled, the asbestos particles get lodged in the respiratory function and
lungs. It happens because of the cleavage panes on the crystallized form of the
particles. As time passes, the build-up of these particles can result in
breathing difficulty in terms of lung cancer and pneumoconiosis. It is a
restrictive lung disease that happens because of inhaling these small
particles.
Are There Any Alternatives to Fiberglass
Insulation?
Though
fiberglass is considered as safe, when it is handled correctly, still there are
some alternatives that are eco-friendlier and safer as well.
It includes soy-based
materials, including foam, hemp, wool, and recycled denim. On the other hand, a
limited number of alternatives are there for insulation suppliers, which makes
it difficult to get them in markets that bound their growth prospects. These
alternatives are also less effective as compared to conventional insulationtypes. However, there is a rise for consumer preferences to green products, the
demand for eco-friendly substitute insulations is expected to increase and
suppliers can choose to cash in on the trend by investing more in research and
development to bring production costs down.
