Prep Work. Remove all items or furniture from the space you'll work in. With a zippered plastic sheet, seal the room so that no fiberglass can get into other parts of your home.
You're smart to wear a mask. Similarly, a few, limited exposures would most likely result in some irritated breathing for a couple days and pose no long term effects. But breathing in the fiberglass dust is your biggest danger here. Your mask is fine for one-project's worth of exposure.
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.
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.
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. 4 However, they can cause discomfort, and if they aren't removed, may transfer to other areas of the body.
What happens if you get spray foam on your skin? Spray foam on the skin can cause irritation when wet, but it is harmless when it dries on your skin. Spray foam is easier to remove when it is wet, but it will naturally fall off after a few days if it dries out.
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.
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.
Asbestos insulation comes in many forms and can look loose, lumpy, and fluffy like wool or hardened like corrugated cardboard or pebbly, and has a gray, gray-brown, or silvery gold color.
Insulation removal can expose you to potentially harmful particles, such as fiberglass or asbestos, depending on the insulation material used in your home. Professional insulation removal ensures that these hazardous materials are handled safely, minimizing health risks for you and your family.
A team of skilled professionals can remove existing insulation in a single day and is able to accurately gauge dangers and weaknesses in your attic environment.
Indoor air quality: You can improve the air quality in your home by removing old insulation that may harbor mold, dust or allergens. Increased home comfort: New insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures more effectively, eliminating hot or cold spots and even reducing noise.
Any reputable insulation installer will thoroughly remove old insulation before putting in the new. However, as a homeowner, you should double-check that they remove all of the old insulation as a first step.
The most common health risk of fiberglass insulation is skin irritation. This occurs when your skin gets in contact with fiberglass particles, resulting in itchiness and skin rashes.
Another method to remove spray foam from the skin is to rub a pumice stone over the dried foam insulation. The next step is to apply petroleum jelly to the area, cover it with a glove, and let the jelly soak in. After an hour, take off the glove and wash with warm water and soap, according to Air Seal Insulators Inc.
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.
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.
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.
Wear masks — Airborne fiberglass particles can also be inhaled and irritate the lungs, leading to sneezing, coughing and wheezing. An effective and thick dust mask can help keep particles away from workers' nose and mouth while cutting fiberglass.
The 3M 6000 half face piece mask is our top selling half mask and is more economy minded in terms of price. If you are looking for a more comfortable respirator, I would go with the 3M 7500 half face piece mask. All of these filters, cartridges and masks are available on our site, and are in stock.