How does Fibreglass affect the human body and the environment?

Question

Fibreglass is supposed to be extremely harmful to the body and the environment.....but i want to know how it harms the body and nature.

Answer 1

It's not nearly as harmful as it used to be.  Fiberglass used to be produced with asbestos, a very toxic substance in humans known to cause cancer.  As for the harm to humans now, it doesn't do much more than cause skin irritation and occasionally breathing irritation.  As for environmental damage, to my knowledge, fiberglass produced without asbestos, is relatively safe.

Answer 2

I work on boats for a living. This involves dealing with lots of fibreglass. Magnus is correct in that asbestos is no longer used in fibreglass. As a product in and of itself, there is no real danger. However, the chemicals used in the resins to make fibreglass stiff can be. There are some newer resins that are not so bad, but no one is using them en masse yet. If you have ever been around someone putting bondo on a car, you have smelled the resins, they are highly aromatic.

The only other danger is from the airborne particles of glass (not really glass but silica) which when inhaled can cause more serious problems with chronic exposure. That is why I always wear a mask when working with fibreglass.

As far as the fibreglass in insulation, as long as it is disposed of properly it is fine. The glass particles do not migrate unless exposed to the air where the wind and water have a way to mobilize movement. It also is not a problem in a house unless there is some way for insulation in the attic or walls to infiltrate.