Asbestos and Fiberglass | Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Information

In the world of construction and insulation materials, asbestos and fiberglass are often found at the forefront. Containing properties that make them resistant to heat are not only good for vessels ships or cars, but they can be found in homes such as in roofing or pipes. However, although having similar properties, the two possess unique health risks. Understanding these key differences can aid in protecting health and optimizing safety precautions.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral found in rocks located across the globe. They are classified as a family of six different fibers all containing properties such as heat resistance making it good for insulation as previously mentioned. It has a rich history during the 19^th century as it quickly picked up production for serving communities of construction, shipyards, and industrialization. While making great use of drywall and car brakes it was later found to be extremely hazardous to the individuals working with the material and even for those living around it.

Health Risks of Asbestos

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry “estimated 27 million workers were exposed to aerosolized asbestos fibers between 1940 and 1979”. When inhaled, whether in extended periods or short, and no matter the “dosage” of exposure, people were at risk for developing asbestos-related conditions. This includes mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that attacks the mesothelial tissue in vital organs, or asbestosis, a chronic lung disease. It is estimated by Asbestos Nation that “12,000 to 15,000 Americans die of asbestos-related diseases” each year. Therefore, it is important to establish an understanding of symptoms to ensure preventative care. The symptoms of exposure include:

Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Persistent dry cough
Clubbing of fingers

What is Fiberglass?

Unlike asbestos, fiberglass is created directly from fine fibers of glass making it synthetic. It is commonly used as insulation for bathtubs, aircraft, and boats but does not restrict itself to these materials. In addition to this, fiberglass was first used during the 1930s for house hold materials as mentioned by the Illinois Department of Public Health. If damaged due to stress or age, the synthetic material can become hazardous to individuals and often resembles a shiny like surface when exposed to light.

Health Risks of Fiberglass

Once the material is exposed to human touch, many difficulties may emerge but the difference in the exposure of this material to its counterpart asbestos is the severity of health issues. Fiberglass may cause redness in the eyes, rashes, or more intense effects such as asthma and bronchitis. These more extreme cases are caused by longer periods of exposure as well as the amount of inhalation or touch. It is recognized by Medical News Today that fiberglass can independently “work its way out of the skin on its own” but it might take some time to be eliminated. A few of the symptoms that can arise when exposed to fiberglass are:

Wheezing
Upper respiratory infections
Frequent coughing
Frequent asthma-like symptoms

However, the Illinois Department of Public Health claims that “Little information is known about the health effects caused by small fibers”. It is also recognized that fiberglass is not linked to cancer. This is one of the main differences between fiberglass and asbestos because asbestos exposure is the common cause of mesothelioma.

Similarities of Asbestos and Fiberglass

Both of these insulation materials are heavily regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. However, this additionally means “asbestos and fiberglass are safe if handled properly” (Kennedy). As a means to take safety precautions, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has recently banned chrysolite asbestos-related products from being imported and created in the United States. While this took years to establish, places like California are already getting a head start with banning fiberglass. This ban will restrict the manufacturing and importing of fiberglass-related products (such as toys and mattresses) from entering California. Lastly, both can cause respiratory issues as mentioned earlier such as coughing and difficulty breathing.

If you or someone you know has been affected by mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease in the state of Pennsylvania, please fill out this form for a free consultation or call 1 (800) 505-6000 for legal help.

Sources:

https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos

https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/asbestos/general.htm

https://scdhec.gov/environment/your-home/asbestos/history-asbestos

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/asbestos/who_is_at_risk.html

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/mesothelioma#:~:text=Mesothelioma%20is%20an%20aggressive%20and,be%20related%20to%20asbestos%20exposure.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asbestosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354637