Fiberglass is a common element used in the manufacturing of insulation, window treatments, and boats. When the small glass fibers become entrenched in the skin, it causes itching. Derma Harmony called this condition as contact dermatitis, which usually appears in the hands or wherever the body came in contact with the material. It can further spread to other areas by touching. And treatment is dependent on the reaction to the fibers.
What is Fiberglass?
You must be familiar with fiberglass that usually used in manufacturing different things. It is a human-made substance that is often called as glass wool or fibrous glass. Fiber particle is three times as long as it is extensive. The main element is glass used in forming fiberglass. It was first used in the 1930s for furnace filters of home and insulation. It is also used to insulate pipes and appliances, for a sound regulator in aircraft, vehicles, roofing materials and some plastics.
How can I be Unprotected to Fiberglass?
When fiberglass is clipped, cut, chopped, sawed or sanded, dust is formed. Exposure can occur by skin contact, breathing, or by swallowing the fibers. Usually, it occurs in enclosed situations when a person works with fiberglass. After the insulation of fiberglass, contact to fibers will not take place if it moves, such as during makeover.
How Fiberglass Affects Health?
Contact to fiberglass can affect health in a different way, dependent on the size and kind of contact. Larger fibers can cause skin, throat, eye, and upper respiratory irritation. Other than that, there are some health issues that can be reported after contacting with fiberglass.
- When the fiber become entrenched in the external layer of the skin, it may result in a rash. However, no long-standing health effects occur by touching fiberglass.
- After fiberglass exposure, your eyes can become red and annoyed.
- Tenderness in the nose and throat can appear when fibers get inhaled. By exposure to fiberglass, asthma and bronchitis can be provoked.
- If fibers are swallowed, you may have to bear momentary stomach irritation.
Smaller fibers can spread the lower part of the lungs, increasing the chance of contrary health effects.
People who work in a setting where fiberglass is used, or who have damaged pipework lined with fiberglass in their homes or office can have long-standing contact to fiberglass. Still, there is no indication that shows an augmented risk of cancer when fiberglass was fixed in the lung tissue of rats. However, these studies are debatable as to how the fibers were entrenched. On the basis of these animal studies, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has categorized some fibers included in fiberglass as likely human carcinogens.
How Would I Reduce Exposure to Fiberglass?
You can take multiple steps to eliminate your exposure to fibers while working with substances that include fiberglass:
- Wear long-sleeved clothing, loose-fitting, and gloves. It can reduce skin contact and irritation.
- Try a mask over the nose and mouth to avoid breathing in the fibers.
- Open a window or a door to upsurge ventilation and decrease dust levels.
- Wear goggles or protection glasses with side protections to defend the eyes.
- Use a shop vacuum after soaking the dirt and fibers.
You can take measures to eliminate after a person has come in contact with fiberglass. Make sure your eyes should be flushed with water and any your skin should be washed with soap and warm water to remove fibers. You must remove the clothes used while working with fiberglass and wash them separately from other clothing. Make sure to rinse the washing machine thoroughly after the clothing washed away.
Preventions to be Made
For fiberglass itch, the most effective remedy is to avoid skin contact with substances that contain fiberglass. Also make sure to classify fiberglass materials whenever probable and remove the products with flexible or cotton gloves, particularly if your dermatitis continues for weeks resulting in any contact.
Also, don’t forget to wear glasses while working around or handling the material. If the exposure is uncontrollable for a short period of time, you can flap your exposed skin with petroleum jelly to keep it safe.
Situations come and go, but you can handle any situation according to your experience. Try to keep yourself up to date!
