Ecologic Energy Solutions: Fiberglass Hazards

Fiberglass Hazards

The History of Fiberglass

The first widespread use of insulation used in modern construction is asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occuring silicate mineral with long, incredibly-thin fibrous crystals known for its resistance to heat. Its flexibility, tensile strength, heat resistance and flame-retardant properties made it ideal for virtually all types of insulation from the start of the industrial revolution through the mid-1980s.

However, an alarmingly high number of workers in the asbestos industry were developing mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The reason being that asbestos fibers, due to their low mass, can stay airborne hours and are easily inhaled. Once inhaled, the fibers break down into hundreds of smaller fibers which get lodged in the small sacs of the lung. Many studies confirmed that asbestos was the cause and by the 1980s many Western countries had banned the use of Asbestos (it took Japan until 2005 to ban asbestos!).

In response to the dangers of asbestos, Owens-Corning created Fiberglass in the early 1940s as a substitute to asbestos. Fiberglass is created by weaving molten glass into long, thin fibers. It is then sprayed with an adhesive resin binder, compressed to specific dimensions, and cured in an oven resulting in the rolled batt insulation most commonly seen today. By the late 20th century, fiberglass had become the building material of choice mostly due to the oil shocks of the 1970s which saw US state governments increase building code insulation requirements in all new housing.

By the late 1990s many studies concluded that fiberglass was the cuase of mesothelioma and lung cancer. Some of the causes were attributed to the formaldehyde off-gassing from the adhesive resin as well as exposure to air-borne glass fibers which while more difficult to break down than asbestos, are just as easily inhaled due to its lightness. Despite intense lobbying by fiberglass companies, the World Health Organization labeled fiberglass as a potential carcinogenic and now fiberglass insulation is required to carry a cancer warning label in the USA.

This is why you should always handle fiberglass with extreme caution and care. Always make sure to cover your entire body to prevent direct or indirect contact, wear a face mask to prevent inhalation of fibers, and provide proper ventilation to allow the airborne fiberglass fibers to escape. If you do come in contact with fiberglass, immediately wash the afflicted area with cold water to prevent lodging of fiberglass in your skin.

Aside from the health hazards, fiberglass insulation is also a poor insulator compared to spray foam. It lacks the ability to air-seal a home resulting in drafts, heat-loss and air infiltration. After a few decades, it will begin to sag and settle leaving gaps in the wall. Its effective r-value is halved in freezing temperatures and will break down if exposed to excessive moisture. While fiberglass may have been a good substitute to asbestos, it certainly leaves much to be desired and certainly has a limited future in energy-efficient construction.

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