Is insulation bad for you?
Insulation has many perks. Some of them include a significant reduction in energy costs, comfortable indoors, reduced carbon footprint and more importantly, an energy-efficient home. But does insulation have a flip side to it? Is insulation bad for you and all that you hold dear?
If you are too impatient to find out, the definitive short answer is No! Insulation is not bad for you. Let’s decode this statement a bit more in detail in this blog. Our focus here is on fibreglass insulation, the most popular and commonly used insulation material. We store top-grade fibreglass insulation and much more at competitive prices at Buy Insulation Online.
What is fibreglass insulation?
Fibreglass or glass mineral wool is a pink, fluffy material that keeps you warm. As the name suggests, it is made of very fine shreds of glass. The recipe also includes soda ash, limestone along with other ingredients. The materials are melted in a furnace and spun under high pressure to yield super-thin, feathery, wool-like glass fibres.
Fibreglass insulation is used to insulate loft, walls, pipes and more. It is typically used to soundproof walls as well. It is quite popular as it gives an excellent thermal performance at a low cost.
Are there any health implications of using fibreglass insulation?
Skin irritation:
Fibreglass insulation is itchy when touched with bare hands. The tiny strands could stick to your skin, leading to skin inflammation or dermatitis. So, even though it may be tempting to run your fingers through this cotton candy, you must keep in mind that it is made of tiny glass fibres. If you have to touch the insulation, you must have gloves on you.
Respiratory problems:
When your naked skin comes in contact with the glass mineral wool insulation, it could come loose and stick to your skin. Once on your skin, it could get into your nose, mouth, and eyes.
When working continuously with the insulation, the possibility of inhaling these minute fibres is also great as they tend to be airborne when disturbed. It could lead to lung irritation, cough and discomfort for a few days. The tiny glass pieces can get lodged in a person's lungs over time, causing respiratory problems. For these reasons, wearing masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended when working with glass mineral wool insulation.
Fiber glass insulation
Does fibreglass insulation cause cancer?
It may not be the most pleasant material, but fibreglass insulation is not carcinogenic. While many claims/rumours may suggest otherwise, they aren't backed with solid evidence.
After considerable research and thoroughly testing the material for years together, professionals have concluded that there is no link between fibreglass insulation and cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has stopped classifying mineral wool insulation (both fibreglass and rock wool) as "possibly carcinogenic to humans".
Does fibreglass insulation cause moulds?
Moulds grow anywhere but especially love moisture, which acts as food for mould spores. They, however, cannot digest inorganic materials and need some sort of organic residue to grow.
Both glass and rock mineral wool do not contain any organic components. Moulds cannot grow on them as they are made of inorganic materials.
However, no surface is ever completely mould-resistant. The best way to keep them away is to keep the insulation moisture-free. Do regular checks for possible leaks and pipe bursts to prevent moisture-related issues at bay.
What are alternatives to fibreglass insulation?
Though enough evidence suggests that fibreglass insulation does not cause cancer, if you still want to steer clear, then you need to look for alternatives to keep your home snug this winter.
We suggest using reflective multifoil insulation for the roofs and walls. Though a bit expensive, the foil insulation works best to keep the heat in and offers exceptional value for money.
In conclusion:
Fibreglass insulation fits snugly between the panels and under the plasterboard when installed properly. The tiny fibres become airborne only when the insulation is disturbed or when the plasterboard on top is removed. So, ensure that you have the proper PPE kits, masks and gloves on you when you work with the insulation.
Fibreglass insulation offers the best value for money, among its many alternatives. It provides exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation at a low cost. So, if you are satisfied with the way the glass mineral wool insulation works for you, why change it?
If you are still not convinced and looking for alternatives, or you simply want to change or uplift your existing insulation, we have all that you need at Buy Insulation Online. We store top-grade products from the most leading insulation brands in the UK. Visit https://www.buyinsulationonline.co.uk/ for low-cost pipe insulation, duct wrap insulation, wall insulation and many more products.
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