1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. FIBROUS GLASS DUST
Label abbreviations descriptions

FIBROUS GLASS DUST†

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 65997-17-3 (Fibrous Glass)
Formula

varies
Synonyms

fibrous glass; fiberglass; glass fibers; glass wool [Note: usually produced from borosilicate % low alkali silicate glasses.]
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Physical description
Boiling point Molecular weight
Freezing point/melting point Vapor pressure 0 mmHg (approx)
Flash point Vapor density
Specific gravity Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL) Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating NFPA fire rating
NFPA reactivity rating NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.) 9135 (total dust) 1300
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media
Sampling time*
 

240-480 min
 

30-480 min (120 recommended)
Sampling volume (TWA)*
 

960 L
 

25-2400 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)*
 

2 L/min
 

0.5-16 L/min - NIOSH (0.5-5 L/min - recommended)
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)*
 

 
 

 
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)*
 

 
 

 
Analytical method instruments Gravimetric
Method reference OSHA PV2121 (partially validated) NIOSH 7400 (fully validated) Alternate or B rules
Notes
 

1. The OSHA PEL is Gravimetric. 2. If the net weight of the sample yields a concentration below the PEL after considering the associated SAE, the SLTC will perform no further work on the sample and the sample air concentration will be reported as the calculated gravimetric air concentration. If the net weight corresponds to an amount greater than the PEL value after considering the associated SAE, the sample may be analyzed for the applicable component and appropriate results will be reported.
 

1. Adjust to give 100-1300 fiber/mm² 2. Fiber count method is used for sampling in industries participating in voluntary NAIMA Partnership or HTIW Partnership programs, or for other as noted. 3. Exposure limit for NAIMA is 1.0 f/cc. 4. Do not request multiple analytes. Do not overload. If dust is high, reduce air volume to avoid overloading. 5. A minimum of 2 blanks or 10% of the number of samples are required for every set. 
Special requirements
 

 
 

Do not allow samples to be loose in mailing packaging. See <a href="/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1001AppA" title="29 CFR 1910.1001, Appendix A">29 CFR 1910.1001, Appendix A</a>.

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media
 

 
Bulk Method
Bulk Method
 

 
On-Site Screening Techniques
On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information
(see manufacturer instructions)
Exposure Limits
Exposure Limits
OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
NIOSH REL
Up to 10-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
ACGIH TLV©
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
CAL/OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
PEL-TWA
 

OSHA Maritime PEL: 15 mg/m³ as Fibrous Glass, 8 hr TWA.

 REL-TWA
 

3 fibers/cm³ (fibers ≤3.5 µm in diameter, ≥10 µm in length); 5 mg/m³ (total)

 TLV-TWA
 

1 fiber/cc (continuous filament glass fibers, glass wool fibers, rock wool fibers, slag wool fibers and special purpose glass fibers, [F]); 5 mg/m³ (continuous filament glass fibers, inhalable particulate matter]); 0.2 f/cc (refractory ceramic fibers [F]) [1999]

 PEL-TWA
 

1 fiber/cm³ [q]
PEL-STEL
 

 

 REL-STEL
 

 

 TLV-STEL
 

 

 PEL-STEL
 

 
PEL-C
 

 

 REL-C
 

 

 TLV-C
 

 

 PEL-C
 

 
Skin notation
 

N

 Skin notation
 

N

 Skin notation
 

N

 Skin notation
 

N
Notes:
 

See 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards. For General Industry, please see 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-3, Mineral Dusts for Inert or Nuisance Dust. For Construction, see 29 CFR 1926.55 App A Mineral Dusts, for Inert or Nuisance Particles.

 Notes:
 

 

 Notes:
 

See TLV endnote [F].

 Notes:
 

[q] Fibers per cubic centimeter of air at 25°C and 760 mmHg pressure. To be considered a fiber for this limit the glass particle must be longer than 5µm, have a length to diameter ratio of three or more, and have a diameter less than 3µm. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Method 7400, Issue 2, August 15, 1994, which is hereby incorporated by reference, shall be used for measuring airborne fiber concentrations.
Health factors:  See NIH-NLM PubChem. IDLH
Carcinogenic classifications: TLV-A4, IARC-3 Notes:
 

 
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:
 

 
Additional Resources and Literature References
Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Not listed

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Fibrous glass dust

Literature References

 
  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Synthetic vitreous fibers. See annual publication for most recent information.
  • No Author:: Certain Glass Wool Fibers (Inhalable) , Report on Carcinogens (latest edition), US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program.
  • Baan, R.A. and Grosse, Y.: Man-made mineral (vitreous) fibres: evaluations of cancer hazards by the IARC monographs programme. Mutat. Res. 553(1-2): 43-58, 2004.
  • Berrigan, D.: Respiratory cancer and exposure to man-made vitreous fibers: a systematic review. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42(4): 354-362, 2002.
  • Huff, J.: IARC monographs, industry influence, and upgrading, downgrading, and under-grading chemicals: a personal point of view. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Int. J. Occup. Environ. Health 8(3): 249-270, 2002.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Fibrous Glass. Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1153-1155.
  • Wardenbach, P., Rodelsperter, K., Roller, M. and Muhle, H.: Classification of man-made vitreous fibers: comments on the revaluation by an IARC working group. Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 43(2): 181-193, 2005.

Last Updated Date : 01/29/2021