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FIBERGLASS HAZARDS Recognizing Fiberglass Insulation Recognizing Fiberglass Duct Insulation Lab Identification of Fiberglass Fiberglass Fragment Hazards Fiberglass Detection in Building Air Mold in Fiberglass Insulation Mold in Foam Insulation Actual mold growth in insulation Moldy insulation may look clean Why does mold grow in fiberglass? When to test insulation for mold Fiberglass Hazard References INSULATION INSPECTIONS More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Air Conditioning InspectAPedia Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure Accuracy & Bias Pledge Contact Us |
This document provides information about fiberglass hazards and fiberglass insulation contamination issues in residential and light-commercial buildings. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website. How to Identify or Recognize Fiberglass Insulation in BuildingsThe fiberglass research literature is replete with studies indicating that there are no health hazards associated with airborne fiberglass particles, and with other studies reaching quite the opposite conclusion. We recommend that readers examine carefully the methodology used in such studies, the expertise of the researchers, and the sources financing of such work. Based on literature review as well as both field and laboratory experience, it is reasonable to claim that large particles of fiberglass are far more likely to be a respiratory or skin irritant than a carcinogen or other more serious health hazard. However some of our field and lab inspections detect very small, even sub-micron sized particles which are traced to building insulation. These much smaller particles may indeed be a health hazard, and may be entirely omitted or simply missed by some laboratories charged with reporting on the level of fiberglass in building air or dust. Here we discuss the recognition of types of fiberglass insulation in buildings, other fiberglass particle sources, and some possible health concerns that involve these materials.
What does fiberglass building insulation look like & what are the colors of fiberglass insulation?Fiberglass building insulation is commonly installed in batts or chopped forms and may be yellow, pink, green, or white in color as is shown in these four photographs. While this material is not and should not be confused with asbestos nor with the well-studied health hazards associated with exposure to asbestos fibers or dust, our separate article on Airborne Fiberglass Building Insulation Hazards and HVAC duct work insulation hazards contains additional discussion about possible air quality and health concerns which may be associated with exposure to fiberglass dust. Where else do we find fiberglass in buildings besides floor, wall and attic insulation?Fiberglass duct insulation material appears in several forms in heating and air conditioning systems in both ducts and air handlers themselves.
The most common uses of fiberglass insulating material in HVAC systems includes the cases listed below. The annotated duct system photographs shown in the article cited below will permit any careful observer to identify the most common types of fiberglass HVAC duct materials. We provide these (C)-protected photographs of fiberglass insulated ducts and HVAC components to aid in recognition of these materials.
Our detailed article on how to recognize fiberglass duct insulation and its characteristics and hazards can be read in its entirety at Recognizing Fiberglass Duct Insulation. What are the Problems with Identifying Fiberglass Hazards in Buildings?
Special challenges face consumers requesting lab services for identification of fiberglass fragments in air, dust, or material samples are easily identified in the forensic laboratory using light and polarized light microscopy and common slide preparation techniques. The common errors which result in failing to detect small fiberglass particles in building air and dust are discussed in full detail at Lab Identification of Fiberglass In that article we also discuss techniques which permit the forensic microscopy lab to identify the source or reservoir of particular fiberglass fragments in a building, sorting out among many possible fiber sources to pinpoint the particular problem such as damaged building insulation, damaged HVAC duct work, or other particle sources. Finally, we discuss how to distinguish among types of insulating and other fibers, comparing various types of fiberglass insulation, mineral wool insulation, asbestos insulation, and other fibers. Frequent presence of fiberglass fragments in air and some dust samples, suggests that an HVAC duct system or exposed fiberglass insulation in the building may be contributing unwanted and potentially unsafe levels of these fibers. This discussion can be read in its entirety at Fiberglass Detection in Building Air
I have also detected high levels of problematic mold in fiberglass building insulation where other mold reservoirs were either not present or had been previously removed. This article can be read in its entirety at Mold in Fiberglass Insulation
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. Technical ReviewersParticular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material. Content suggestions, technical corrections and content critique are invited for any of the content at our website.
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Recognizing Fiberglass Insulation Recognizing Fiberglass Duct Insulation Lab Identification of Fiberglass Fiberglass Fragment Hazards Fiberglass Detection in Building Air Mold in Fiberglass Insulation Mold in Foam Insulation Actual mold growth in insulation Moldy insulation may look clean Why does mold grow in fiberglass? When to test insulation for mold Fiberglass Hazard References INSULATION INSPECTIONS DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Air Conditioning InspectAPedia Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure Accuracy & Bias Pledge Contact Us |
More Information on Fiberglass Hazards, Fiberglass Particles, Airborne Fiberglass Dust, Mold in Fiberglass Insulation,Contaminants, and Indoor Air Quality Investigations, Building Diagnostic Inspections, and Building RepairsFor more information about fiberglass as an indoor air quality concern see:
INSULATION INSPECTIONS For more information about asbestos as an indoor air quality concern with focus on easy ways to identify asbestos materials in buildings, see:
Additional references on fiberglass in buildings
Note: "DJF Opinion" in this document identifies comments based on my experience and/or field and empirical data but which I do not cite as authoritative.
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Contact Daniel Friedman05/07/2008 - 10/01/1997 - www.inspect-ny.com/sickhouse/fiberglass.htm - Created 1 Jan 97 - Web page design & content © Copyright 2008-1997 Daniel Friedman all rights reserved.