Removing Fiberglass from Your Skin 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.
It is OK to touch the outer jacket with your bare hands provided the insulation is not damaged. A good rule of thumb when working with electricity is to wear insulated (rubber sole) shoes and to always keep one hand in your pocket. That way, even if you touch a bare energized conductor, it will only hurt, not kill you.
Despite protective clothing and a sprinkle of baby powder, fiberglass particles may still linger. As such, you might want to shower twice. First, take a cold shower to rinse off any particles. The cold keeps your pores closed, so you no longer have to worry about fiberglass seeping into your skin.
If you have been exposed to fiberglass during work or think fiberglass has touched your skin, gently wash the affected area with water and a mild soap. If you continue to experience skin irritation or pain, see your healthcare provider for medical assistance.
Any exposed skin area should be washed with soap and warm water to remove fibers. Clothing worn while working with fiberglass should be removed and washed separately from other clothing. The washing machine should be rinsed thoroughly after the exposed clothing has been washed.
While touching fiberglass doesn't usually lead to long-term effects on your health, exposure to it may cause intense itching, redness, or a rash. So, it's important to remove fiberglass from your skin as soon as possible so it doesn't come in contact with your eyes, nose, or throat.
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.
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.
If your insulation has become wet, remove it as soon as possible and replace it with new insulation. Wet insulation can lose its effectiveness and can pose health risks.
Prolonged skin contact with fiberglass can cause irritation and itching, leading to fiberglass dermatitis. This condition presents as a rash, redness, and sometimes small bumps. In severe cases, it can cause painful blisters.
In general, the color of insulation doesn't equal better performance over another color. Whether it's pink, white, brown, or yellow—color doesn't influence dependability, reliability, or the products effectiveness.
However, we do not recommend touching fiberglass insulation with bare hands. Because blown-in fiberglass is composed of tiny glass fibers, there is a high likelihood of these fibers becoming embedded in your skin. This doesn't necessarily make fiberglass insulation dangerous for your home.
Oil and Baking Soda: First, apply vegetable or baby oil to soften the foam. Then, add some baking soda and start rubbing the skin until there are no foam residues. Wash your hands with warm water and soap and repeat the process if necessary. Petroleum Jelly: This method is good for stubborn residue.
This occurs when people come into contact with the fiberglass particles that are found in insulation. When your skin is exposed to these fiberglass particles you can develop an itchy and red rash that can be very uncomfortable and last for days.
OSHA requires hand protection in cases where the skin is exposed to hazards. Not only can the mechanics of cutting insulation materials pose a potential danger, but the materials themselves may irritate the skin and cause dermatitis. Therefore, wearing gloves is crucial when handling insulation.
Blown Fiberglass in Attics
Installers blowing insulation wear a NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece dust respirator (N95 or greater). No workers, unless they wear a NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece dust respirator (N95 or greater), should be permitted in the attic during or immediately after the application.
Personal Protective Equipment
This includes a dust mask or respirator to protect your lungs, safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes, work gloves to protect your hand and clothing that covers every part of your body. At a minimum, you should wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and tall socks.
If you develop itching, burning or sharp pain on a part of your skin that was recently exposed to fiberglass insulation, DO NOT attempt to rub it. Rubbing it will only the symptoms worse by grinding the fiberglass deeper into your skin. Instead, rinse it with cold, low-pressure water.
This substance can penetrate the skin, leading to discomfort and rashes. People can safely remove some fiberglass particles by washing the affected area under running water and gently pulling fibers away from the skin using tape. Emollients and corticosteroid creams can help ease symptoms.
Skin irritation: Touching exposed insulation can send particles in the air, irritating your skin. Eye irritation: Fiberglass particles can also irritate your eyes. Lung irritation: Breathing in fiberglass insulation is dangerous because it can cause respiratory issues.
Until the mid-1970s, insulation often used asbestos, which is now known to cause deadly diseases at even the lowest exposure levels. Although asbestos has been phased out of most home insulation, it has not been banned in the U.S. and some insulation boards currently on the market still contain asbestos.
Latex is the most commonly used glove. Nitrile is stronger than latex. Nitrile has better chemical resistance than latex. Both types of gloves can come in different thicknesses.