Health Effects

There is insufficient evidence that synthetic mineral fibers cause respiratory disease in humans. Results from animal experiments have led to conservative classifications of certain synthetic mineral fibers as possible human carcinogens. Specifically, insulation glass wool, continuous glass filament, rock (stone) wool, and slag wool are not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans. The following resources aid in recognizing synthetic mineral fiber hazards in the workplace.

• Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Fibrous Glass. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 77-152, (April 1977). Includes health effects, exposures, work practices, sampling, and control information for fibrous glass. Included as an historical reference.
• Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Refractory Ceramic Fibers. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-123, (May 2006). Describes the potential health effects of occupational exposure to airborne fibers of refactory ceramic fibers.
• PubChem – Synthetic Vitreous Fibers. The National Library of Medicine (NLM).
• Report on Carcinogens (RoC). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Toxicology Program (NTP). Identifies and discusses agents, substances, mixtures, or exposure circumstances that may pose a health hazard due to their carcinogenicity. The listing of substances in the RoC only indicates a potential hazard and does not establish the exposure conditions that would pose cancer risks to individuals.
  • Ceramic Fibers (Respirable Size). NTP classification: Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens.
  • Certain Glass Wool Fibers (Inhalable). NTP classification: Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks for Humans. World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Vitreous Fibres. IARC Classification: Possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) and Not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).
  • Evaluations of Fibers as to their Carcinogenicity. Based on Section 5.5 of "Man-made Vitreous Fibres." International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 81(2002).
• Toxicological Profile for Synthetic Vitreous Fibers. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), (September 2004). Includes links to information on health effects, chemical and physical information, potential for human exposure, and more.
• ToxFAQs™ for Synthetic Vitreous Fibers. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), (September 2004). Provides a fact sheet which answers the most frequently asked health questions about synthetic vitreous fibers.
• Refractory ceramic fibers (CASRN Not found). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Discusses the health effect information for refractory ceramic fibers.
• Fibrous Glass. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet. Provides a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from fibrous glass exposure.
• Marsh, G.M, J.M. Buchanic, and A.O. Youk. "Historical Cohort Study of U.S. Man-Made Vitreous Fiber Production Workers." Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 43.9(September 2001): 803-808. Includes an overview of exposure assessment and exposure-specific job analysis.
• International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Summarizes essential health and safety information.
  • Glass Wool