Is Fiberglass Attic Insulation Hazardous Waste

Fiberglass insulation can be hazardous.

Is fiberglass attic insulation hazardous waste. Fiberglass insulation comprises nearly 90 of the us market for home insulation. Imagine what happens when a window is broken. Fiberglass insulation is not generally considered to be dangerous but it can irritate the skin and respiratory system. The glass is extremely sharp and is very dangerous.

Everyone has heard about the association between lung cancer and asbestos. Batt fiberglass is often identifiable by color and it can come in the pink yellow or white variety. Fiberglass insulation has the same effect on our lungs skin and eyes. While fiberglass insulation is still used today older insulation tends to be discolored or torn making it far less effective.

Indeed the rules are even more stringent with hazardous materials. If the insulation is not properly sealed off it can get into air vents and circulate through the building. Most municipalities around the country have strict regulations regarding waste disposal and recycling. Get free shipping on qualified attic fiberglass insulation or buy online pick up in store today in the building materials department.

Wear the proper safety equipment. As you remove fiberglass insulation from the walls securely bagging it is the first step of the disposal process. Other masks can allow tiny fiberglass particles to be inhaled into your lungs. Homeowners can also come across fiberglass insulation during repairing or clearing out the attic.

Check with your local dump to see if the operation recycles fiberglass insulation. A few examples of older insulation are loose fill or batt fiberglass insulation. Rolled fiberglass insulation commonly comes in thicknesses ranging from 3 5 inches to 12 inches so you ll need large durable bags often known as contractor bags to accommodate a big load. Scientists have made over 400 studies of fiberglass in an attempt to answer this question.

Fiberglass insulation however poses many health risks. Rubber gloves stop the fiberglass particles from sticking to your hand and can be washed off easily. Since some forms of asbestos are similar in appearance to fiberglass fibers many people wonder if handling fiber glass could also result in the development of cancer or other serious health hazards. Also make sure you are wearing a fiberglass rated mask.

According to some estimates thermal insulation made from fiberglass and its alternatives conserves 12 times as much energy as is lost in its production and it may reduce residential energy costs by up to 40.