Fiberglass particles are often small and can reflect light, appearing like tiny sparkling or glimmering specks on the mattress or around the bedroom.. Focus on any areas where you see these reflective particles.
How can you identify fiberglass contamination in your home? Read the mattress labels before taking off the cover. The label will tell you if there is fiber glass in the mattress. Fiberglass can go airborne and get all over your house. You can't always see it just by looking, usually you have to use a flashlight.
Direct contact with fiberglass or breathing airborne dust containing fiberglass may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. The symptoms of irritation are often nonspecific, temporary, and may include itching, coughing, or wheezing.
Turn off the lights and use a flashlight to look for glimmering strands of dust, which could indicate the presence of fiberglass contamination.
Fiberglass was first used in the 1930s for home furnace filters and insulation. Fiberglass also is used to insulate pipes and appliances, for sound control in aircrafts and automobiles, and in curtains, roofing material and some plastics.
Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA Filter
To ensure thorough cleaning and removal of fiberglass particles, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA air filter to vacuum the entire bed and bedroom. A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can effectively remove particles as small as 0.3 microns, including any remaining glass fibers.
Applications include aircraft, boats, automobiles, bath tubs and enclosures, swimming pools, hot tubs, septic tanks, water tanks, roofing, pipes, cladding, orthopedic casts, surfboards, and external door skins.
Will fiberglass come out on its own? Eventually, fiberglass splinters may work their way out, particularly when it's a small amount, though it may take a few days.
Fiberglass Testing - Both air and surfaces can be tested to determine if fiberglass is present.
A fiberglass rash is the most common symptom of fiberglass exposure. It's characterized by red, itchy bumps on the skin where the fiberglass has made contact. The rash can appear anywhere on the body but is most often seen on exposed areas such as the hands, arms, and face.
Long-term exposure to fiberglass is associated with lung disease, including pulmonary fibrosis. Short-term inhalational exposure to fiberglass may cause lung inflammation and bronchiolitis.
According to multiple states' health departments, inhaling fiberglass can cause coughing, wheezing, and itching.
Yes, it will. Air purifiers, especially those equipped with HEPA filters, excel at capturing fiberglass particles and other harmful contaminants.
The manufacturer's label is the easiest way to tell if a mattress is made with fiberglass, though in some cases, it may not be listed. Also, many labels don't specifically say “fiberglass.” Instead, they often use alternative terms such as “glass wool” or “glass fibers.”
Appearance: Fiberglass resembles thin, shiny filaments or threads, similar in appearance to fine strands of glass or silk. Location: Typically found beneath the outer fabric layer, it may become visible if the mattress cover is damaged or removed.
If you have fiberglass in your eyes, you would likely experience symptoms such as persistent eye irritation, redness, discomfort, tearing, or a gritty feeling like sand in your eyes.
Use a shovel or a rake to remove this insulation as it is blown into the space. Carefully scoop under the fiberglass and loosen its grip from the surrounding area. Use them carefully so as not to damage the underlying surfaces. Avoid aggressive scraping or pulling that could create dust.
If you notice irritation after exposure to fiberglass, get fiberglass out of your skin immediately to prevent further damage. Some fibers will eventually come out of the skin by themselves.
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.
When fiberglass fragments are inhaled and deposited in the small air sacs of the lung, the alveoli do not close up and trap the particles. The particles are expelled from the alveoli and there is a rapid clearance of fiberglass dust particles from the lungs.
Fiberglass can be installed in the attic, crawl space, rim joist, and open walls. It is commonly found in blanket form, called batts, but it is also available in bags containing standard pre-cut lengths and widths. Fiberglass Batts are typically stapled into place.
Fiberglass is highly resistant to heat, unlike plastics or resins that may melt. A simple, controlled heat test can help identify fiberglass: Expose a small, inconspicuous section to moderate heat. Fiberglass will not burn but may discolor slightly.
Dust of fiberglass insulation is sparkly in the air, and looks like the fiberglass it came from (pink, yellow, etc.) if it's thick enough to notice. You DO NOT want to breathe it, and it will irritate your skin and reportedly can move through the skin.