Owens Corning® PINK Next Gen™ Fiberglas™ insulation is made with safe, proven ingredients that naturally resist fire and do not support mold growth, with no formaldehyde and no fire retardants added to the fiberglass.
Pink fiberglass insulation effectively keeps homes warm in the winter and cool during the summer. But it does not come without a price. The material could trigger asthma, bronchitis, and eye irritation. Moreover, it could cause itchiness and skin irritation.
On the other hand, if you're wondering “does pink insulation have asbestos? The answer is generally no. Pink insulation, which is usually fiberglass, does not typically contain asbestos.
We recommend: loose fitting work clothes which cover the arms and legs covered shoes dust mask safety glasses. * Refers specifically to the insulation instalment, and not other factors on site.
If you've come into contact with fiberglass shards or you have a rash and itchiness after you were exposed to fiberglass, don't rub or scratch the area. Immediately wash the exposed area with warm water and mild soap and wipe with a washcloth to remove the glass fibers from your skin.
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.
Skin contact Prolonged skin contact may cause temporary irritation. Skin irritation should not occur when used as recommended. Eye contact May cause discomfort.
Wear disposable lightweight coveralls or loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing and cut-resistant gloves. This will reduce skin contact and irritation. Wear an N95 filtering facepiece respirator to minimize fiber inhalation. A reusable full-face respirator with N95 filters will also work.
A safe home environment begins with the materials used to build it. Owens Corning® PINK Next Gen™ Fiberglas™ insulation is made with safe, proven ingredients that naturally resist fire and do not support mold growth, with no formaldehyde and no fire retardants added to the fiberglass.
Short-term Exposure
The symptoms of irritation are often nonspecific, temporary, and may include itching, coughing, or wheezing. High levels of exposure to airborne fiberglass may aggravate existing asthma or bronchitis-like conditions.
Based on extensive scientific research and evaluations by leading health authorities, fiberglass insulation, including glass wool fibers, is not associated with cancer or serious long-term health effects. While it can cause temporary irritation, proper handling makes these effects manageable.
Health hazards of interacting with exposed insulation include: Risks of skin, eye and lung irritation. Potential for mold and mildew growth. Risk of increased health problems for kids, as uncovered insulation isn't child-proof.
Ingestion: Unlikely to occur and no known health effects but would be expected to cause stomach irritation if ingested.
Air Leakage
Fiberglass insulation is less dense than other types of insulation and does not create an airtight seal, which means air can travel freely through the insulation. This is called air leakage and it's one of the most common sources of energy loss in a house.
The fibers used to make fiberglass insulations are inorganic and inert and do not support mold growth.
After removing the staples, simply roll out and fold the fiberglass insulation individually. It's best to start from the farthest corner of the room. Discard them in large garbage bags. Talk to your local waste management department to know where you can take them for proper disposal.
There are other types of insulation, but these are the most common. The best non-toxic insulation is either mineral wool or foam insulation inserts.
As of October 2015, every fiberglass insulation company in the United States and Canada has phased out the use of formaldehyde-based binders in lightweight residential products. Formaldehyde is a human toxicant with a long history of use in residential insulation.
Four naturally occurring minerals that help with product performance and biosolubility: • Feldspar Sand • Limestone (calcium carbonate) • Soda Ash (sodium carbonate) • and Borax (sodium tetraborate).
Installing fiberglass insulation can cause temporary, mechanical skin irritation. Products made with Knauf Insulation's patented ECOSE technology with bio-based binder are known to greatly reduce that irritation. However, protective clothing, masks, and gloves are always recommended when handling glass fibers.
Redness and Rash
In addition to itching, fiberglass exposure can lead to redness and the development of a rash. The mechanical irritation caused by the glass fibers can result in an inflammatory response, manifesting as erythema (redness) and sometimes a rash.
You can take steps to reduce your exposure to fibers when working with materials that contain fiberglass: Wear loose fitting, long-sleeved clothing and gloves. This will reduce skin contact and irritation. Wear a mask over the nose and mouth to prevent breathing in the fibers.
Abrasive cleaners can damage certain surfaces. The Pink Stuff could scratch the shiny finishes of stainless steel kitchen appliances, plated metals, enamel, and finished flooring. “Avoid using it on anything that is delicate or anything that can be easily scored or scratched,” Dickerson says.
Fiberglass is made from glass fibers. Glass in the form of fibers is still glass, though, and it cuts. When you touch fiberglass insulation without protective gear, you run the risk of getting tiny glass shards embedded in your skin. This is why fiberglass makes you itch and can even cause severe rashes in some people.
Pink insulation is fiberglass. Strands of fiberglass bound together by what are often unhealthy chemicals. You can't touch it. Or you can, but it will leave you itching.