Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a man-made material used in many products in homes and workplaces. It is found in insulation, furnace filters, appliances, cars, airplanes and roofing materials.
Contact with fiberglass may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels of exposure to airborne fiberglass may aggravate asthma or bronchitis. There are no specific medical tests to show whether you have been exposed to fiberglass.
Exposure
You may be exposed to fiberglass during construction or renovations, or whenever existing insulation is disturbed. Exposure occurs by skin or eye contact, or by breathing in fibers that have become airborne.
Once fiberglass is installed in buildings, you will probably not be exposed unless it is disturbed.
Working with Fiberglass
Workers in the following industries are more likely to be exposed to fiberglass:
- Building construction and maintenance
- Fiberglass manufacturing
- Car body repair
When working in direct contact with fiberglass:
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing and gloves. This will reduce skin contact and irritation.
- Thoroughly wash exposed skin with soap and water to remove fibers.
- Remove clothing worn while working with fiberglass. You should also wash separately.
- Protect your nose, throat and lungs by wearing an N95 particulate respirator that was approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- Wear eye protection or goggles with side shields.
- Avoid directly touching or disturbing materials that may contain fiberglass.
To clean fiberglass dust and debris from surfaces, use wet mops and cloths or a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. Do not dry sweep or perform other activities that may stir up dust.