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Glass wool
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==Health problems== Fiberglass will irritate the eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. Potential symptoms include irritation of eyes, skin, nose, and throat, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), sore throat, hoarseness and cough.<ref>Labor, United States Department of (2005), Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Chemical Sampling Information, CAS Registry Number: 65997-17-3 (Fibrous Glass).</ref> Fiberglass used for insulating appliances appears to produce human disease that is similar to asbestosis.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kilburn |first1=K H |last2=Powers |first2=D |last3=Warshaw |first3=R H |title=Pulmonary effects of exposure to fine fibreglass: irregular opacities and small airways obstruction. |journal=Occupational and Environmental Medicine |date=1 October 1992 |volume=49 |issue=10 |pages=714β720 |doi=10.1136/oem.49.10.714 |pmid=1419860 |pmc=1012147 }}</ref> Scientific evidence demonstrates that fiberglass is safe to manufacture, install and use when recommended work practices are followed to reduce temporary mechanical irritation.<ref>North American Insulation Manufacturers Association ("NAIMA"), Insulation Facts #62 "Health and Safety Facts for Fiber Glass", Pub. No. N040, May 2012.</ref> Unfortunately these work practices are not always followed, and fiberglass is often left exposed in basements that later become occupied. Fiberglass insulation should never be left exposed in an occupied area, according to the American Lung Association. {{citation needed|date=April 2025}} In June 2011, the United States' National Toxicology Program (NTP) removed from its Report on [[Carcinogen]]s all biosoluble glass wool used in home and building insulation and for non-insulation products.<ref name="dhhs">{{Citation | title = National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National toxicology Program, Fact Sheet, "The Report on Carcinogens," June 2011 | url = https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/glasswoolfibers.pdf | year = 2011 | last1 = Department of Health and Human Services | access-date = 2013-02-05}} </ref> Similarly, California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment ("OEHHA"), in November 2011, published a modification to its Proposition 65 listing to include only "Glass wool fibers (inhalable and biopersistent)."<ref>46-Z California Regulatory Notice Register, P.1878 (November 18, 2011).</ref> The United States' NTP and California's OEHHA action means that a cancer warning label for biosoluble fiber glass home and building insulation is no longer required under Federal or California law. All fiberglass wools commonly used for thermal and [[soundproofing|acoustical insulation]] were reclassified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in October 2001 as Not Classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).<ref>IARC Press Release, 24 October 2001 (http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2001/pr137.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219010006/http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2001/pr137.html |date=2013-12-19 }})</ref> Fiberglass itself is resistant to mold. If mold is found in or on fiberglass it is more likely that the binder is the source of the mold, since binders are often organic and more [[hygroscopic]] than the glass wool. In tests, glass wool was found to be highly resistant to the growth of mold. Only exceptional circumstances resulted in mold growth: very high relative humidity, 96% and above, or saturated glass wool, although saturated wool glass will only have moderate growth.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Block |first1=S. S. |title=Humidity Requirements for Mold Growth |journal=Applied Microbiology |date=1953 |volume=1 |issue=6 |pages=287β293 |doi=10.1128/AEM.1.6.287-293.1953 |pmc=1056928 |pmid=13105287 }}</ref><ref name=Corning2007>{{Citation | title = Fiberglass Thermal Batt, Product Data Sheet | url = http://www.owenscorning.com/comminsul/documents/thermalbatt_eng.pdf | year = 2007 | author = Owens Corning | access-date = 2012-02-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121224003313/http://owenscorning.com/comminsul/documents/thermalbatt_eng.pdf | archive-date = 2012-12-24 | url-status = dead | author-link = Owens Corning }}</ref>
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