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This document provides information about the detection of small particles of fiberglass fragments and indoor air quality fiberglass contamination issues in residential and light-commercial buildings. © Copyright 2010 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Sources & Detection of Sub-Micron Sized Fiberglass Fragments in Building Air

DJF Opinion: I frequently find fiberglass fragments in indoor air samples, particularly where fiberglass HVAC duct material are in a building and where fiberglass insulation has been left exposed in a living or occupied area (such as in the ceiling above an unfinished basement being used as an office or family play area). If someone has attempted to mechanically "clean" HVAC duct work which was lined with fiberglass insulation, it is likely that I'll find a higher presence of fiberglass fragments in indoor air and in settled dust.

We are continuing to collect field data as well as occupant complaints in buildings for research purposes. To date our field data suggest that there is more fiberglass in residential building air than is recognized. In our opinion a there is a growing level of concern regarding these fibers.

The photo at left shows indoor dust fragments including skin cells (pink) and fiberglass fragments. These particular fiberglass fragments are large enough to see easily.

DJF Opinion: Frequent presence of fiberglass fragments in air and some dust samples, suggests that an HVAC duct system or exposed fiberglass insulation in the building may be contributing unwanted and potentially unsafe levels of these fibers.

While the fiberglass industry does not agree that this is a hazard, independent studies and warnings at US government health-related websites suggest that there may be carcinogenic or respiratory health hazards from exposure to high levels of fiberglass particles.

If we find frequent presence of fiberglass fibers in air or interior dust samples further investigation, cleaning, and particularly investigation of air handling equipment and duct systems in the building would be appropriate.

If fiberglass HVAC duct work has been installed I very often find significant fiberglass levels in interior air and dust samples.

Because these materials cannot be mechanically cleaned and because I do not recommend encapsulant sprays, replacement could be in order.

We would not expect and do not usually find evidence of movement of significant levels of fiberglass fragments from insulated attics, nor from enclosed (finished) walls, ceilings into living areas under normal conditions.

Prudent Avoidance of Fiberglass Insulation Dust

It is possible that small fiberglass particles in air may constitute a meaningful health risk (obviously depending on the overall exposure level) which has not been explored.

We suggest that that prudent avoidance would be appropriate. Improper cleaning or treatment of fiberglass ducts with biocides may in fact increase rather than decrease indoor air quality problems in a building, particularly if occupants have other respiratory or pulmonary concerns/vulnerabilities.

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DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS
FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
  FIBERGLASS CONTAMINATION TEST PROCEDURE
  Recognizing Fiberglass Insulation
  Recognizing Fiberglass Duct Insulation
  Lab Identification of Fiberglass
  Fiberglass Fragment Hazards
  Fiberglass Detection in Building Air
  Mold in Fiberglass Insulation
  Mold in Foam Insulation
  Moldy insulation may look clean
  Why does mold grow in fiberglass?
  When to test insulation for mold
  How to Test for Mold in Insulation
  Fiberglass Hazard References
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More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

For more information about fiberglass as an indoor air quality concern see:

• Fiberglass in Indoor Air, HVAC Ducts, and Building Insulation
• Asbestos Identification in Buildings: How to find & identify asbestos-containing materials
• Asbestos in Good Condition
• Mold in Fiberglass, when, why, and how fiberglass becomes a reservoir of problem mold in buildings.

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