Lab procedures for fiberglass dust testing:

This document provides forensic laboratory procedural details for the laboratory identification of fiberglass hazards in air or in settled dust samples collected in residential and light-commercial buildings.

Laboratory Identification of Fiberglass Fibers & Fragments

Fiberglass fragments in air, dust, or material samples are easily identified in the forensic laboratory using light and polarized light microscopy and common slide preparation techniques.

While glass fibers can be identified using Cargille(R) certified refractive index liquids, it is easier and faster to examine fibers prepared in almost any common slide mounting solution by looking for the following features:

• Smooth sided manmade fibers which may appear in a wide variety of diameters and lengths, but with a characteristic concoidal fracture on the fiber end is key in laboratory identification of fiberglass fragments in air samples or settled dust samples from buildings where screening for fiberglass dust is required
• Presence of colored resin binder on fiber lengths or where fibers cross is another identifying characteristic of fiberglass insulation
• The disappearance of these fiberglass fibers from view in a light microscope when viewed with crossed polars also is used to confirm that glass fibers are present
• Presence of concoidal fractures on the ends of fibers is evidence of glass or fiberglass

 

 

The two lab photographs of fiberglass insulation just above show, from left, the characteristic concoidal fracture at the end of a fiberglass fiber, and resinous material used as a binder in fiberglass insulation. The resin binder in fiberglass insulation can appear in various colors and which gives fiberglass its individual characteristic color.

Determining the source of fiberglass particles found in a building: It may be possible to identify the manufacturer of or at least the source of fiberglass fibers found in a building by comparing the color of resin identified in the microscope with colors observed by visual inspection of fiberglass installed in different building areas.

Identifying fiberglass resins and mineral wool insulation: The left hand lab photo of fiberglass show below provides two examples of resinous binder in fiberglass insulation at a lower magnification of about 300x, with the left, triangular resin particle having been bound to two intersecting glass fibers.

Notice the considerable variation in fiberglass fiber diameter in this photo - the fibers in this photo might be from different sources as not only are they characteristically different by metrics, but their resins are of different color.

Problems in identifying very small fiberglass fragments in air and dust samples: Our own field investigations find that fiberglass particles are quite common in indoor air.

Unless the forensic particle laboratory is making a point of counting small fiberglass fragments in indoor air or dust samples, only a large-particle count may be provided and the presence and potential effects of fiberglass dust may be underestimated.

Furthermore, proper lab procedure and use of mountants with an appropriate refractive index to see glass fragments is critical as otherwise such particles may simply be invisible when viewed using conventional slide preparation methods.

Mineral wool insulation: The right hand photo shown below shows displays a resin binder and thin, varying-diameter fibers of glass mineral wool insulation.

Under polarized light using crossed polars, the glass fibers in these photos will simply disappear from view. (photo not shown - phase contrast microscopy or use of special mounting fluids with an appropriate refractive index may be needed especially to identify small fiberglass fragments.)

Photographs of Unbonded Fiberglass Insulation - "Blowing Wools"

Above (left) we show a macro photograph of white blown-in unbonded InsulSafe® building insulation sold by CertainTeed and provided by a homeowner who asked our lab to study dust samples from her home. At above right is the same insulation shown in the stereo microscope at about 20x, and below the same material is magnified to 720x.

Identifying Contents of House Dust to Screen for Building Insulation

Above we show a 720x micro-photograph of white blown-in unbonded InsulSafe® building insulation sold by CertainTeed.

Below our photo shows the dominant particles in the dust sample from the home under study (NOT fiberglass).

Magnified to 720x the fibers we found were primarily cotton, with some linen and a few synthetic fabric fibers.

There was virtually none of the insulation fibers provided for comparison (above left) as a possible source of dust in the home.

Above a client photo shows a heavy and rapid dust accumulation on building surfaces.

Above our lab photo shows that the prime contents of the dust were fabric fibers and starch granules, not building insulation in this case. - DF & WW 6/2010.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2019-08-22 by (mod) - research on fiberglass hazards (particles, chemicals, gases) around fiberglass fabrication plants

Thanks for the question, Anna; there's plenty of research on the IAQ around fiberglass fabricating plants and plants using fiberglass; how far something travels depends so much on what's being produced at a specific facility, wind, terrain, etc. that IMO no single answer to your question of how far, what effects, etc would be useful.

For example very small particles in the 1-5 micron size can travel for hundreds of miles - but that says nothing about their potential harm to humans - since we don't know the concentration nor individual exposure from just that fact.

The ARTICLE INDEX above includes articles on FIBERGLASS EXPOSURE - health effects, limits, etc.

Keep in mind that depending on the specific facility there may be other airborne IAQ concerns than just fiberglass particles of various sizes.

Here are some example

Research papers on fiberglass health concerns at fabrication facilities

• Felix, Larry, Randy Merritt, and Ashley Williamson. Evaluation of styrene emissions from a shower stall/bathtub manufacturing facility. US Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory, 1996.
• Miller, R. R., Ronald Newhook, and Alan Poole. "Styrene production, use, and human exposure." Critical Reviews in Toxicology 24, no. sup1 (1994): S1-S10.
• Milton, Donald K., Michael D. Walters, Katharine Hammond, and John S. Evans. "Worker exposure to endotoxin, phenolic compounds, and formaldehyde in a fiberglass insulation manufacturing plant." American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal 57, no. 10 (1996): 889-896.
• SCHUMACHER, ROBERT L., PETER A. BREYSSE, WILLIAM R. CARLYON, RICHARD P. HIBBARD, and GOLDY D. KLEINMAN. "Styrene exposure in the fiberglass fabrication industry in Washington State." American Industrial Hygiene Association journal 42, no. 2 (1981): 143-149.
• Strum, Madeleine, Rich Cook, James Thurman, Darrell Ensley, Anne Pope, Ted Palma, Richard Mason, Harvey Michaels, and Stephen Shedd. "Projection of hazardous air pollutant emissions to future years." Science of the total environment 366, no. 2-3 (2006): 590-601.

Watch out: keep in mind that these are industrial environment studies for the most part and you CANNOT draw ANY assumptions about your own personal environment from such studies.

Bottom line: if you're worried about fiberglass particle hazards in your home you can test settled dust samples or even air samples (precise but inaccurate) for abnormal levels of fiberglass; I'd focus on small particles.

On 2019-08-21 by Anna Sontag - What research has been done to evaluate what comes out of the stacks at a fiberglass manufacturing plant?

What research has been done to evaluate what comes out of the stacks at a fiberglass manufacturing plant?

Please tell me all you know about this: how far it travels; how to test; what are the effects?

On 2019-02-27 by (mod) - Where can I find a lab?

Didi

you will see some environmental test labs and particle identification and mold test labs grouped together in the EXPERTS DIRECTORY found at the top of any of our pages

Inspectapedia.com has no business nor financial relationship with any product or service provider that we may discuss or mention at this website

On 2019-02-26 by Didiwoodstraining@gmail.vom

Where can I find a lab? I know this blown in insulation is blowing in throughout the house. Ive been sick ever since moving in. I vacuum major filth and every vent I can see dirt, fibers eyc

On 2019-02-23 by (mod) - start by discussing your health worries with your doctor,

Shawn

You should start by discussing your health worries with your doctor, and ask her if she thinks there is a probability that something in your environment causes or aggravates your complaint. IF you don't take that step the risk is that you focus on the wrong concern and never effectively address your health.

On 2019-02-23 by Shawn Tobin

Amber. I believe people around here are purposely putting it in our houses and using it for doctors to say whatever and telling inspector whatever . We the people need to say love you and say. I'm cleaning and fucl u and it rent. Its my house.

Customer noone want to inspect. Well I do and I'll learn to breathe better without it ass.

U know what kill me that u go to the doctor and u use it insurance and yet not tell the news how dangerous it is and how did it up where it did. Because I have a house and I know what the codes are because I care about my health.

On 2019-01-04 by (mod) - My new couch makes me itch,

Wilma

1. Identify the couch fabric - it may be a material to which you're allergic; for example you could have a wool allerge

2. If you are the only one who finds the couch itchy you might also ask your doctor for advice

3. If the couch fabric is generally irritating to everyone then perhaps you need to exchange it OR to completely cover it with a slipcover of a non-irritating material -which would be unfortunate considering that it's a brand new couch.

On 2018-08-15 by Wilma

My new couch make me itch, what can I do?

On 2018-05-01 by (mod) - send a dust sample to any forensic laboratory,

You could send a dust sample to any forensic laboratory, though the scenario you describe doesn't sound like a likely explanation. Hubby would have had to track enough insulation into the living area that surely you and he would have known he'd done that.

On 2018-05-01 by Joy

My husband did some electrical work in attic on bedroom and right after I started itching severely at night. I think insulation is in our carpet. When steam cleaning the carpet the filter had quite a lot of fibers. Can I get them tested to see if it is fiberglass?

On 2017-06-30 by Anonymous

@Amber, I am going through something really similar to what you described and I too am entirely stumped as to what to do. If you see this please let me know how and what you're doing. Thanks

On 2017-06-30 by Jennifer

Amber, I am going through something really similar to what you described and I too am entirely stumped as to what to do. If you see this please let me know how and what you're doing. Thanks

On 2016-03-21 by (mod) - fiberglass vs Morgellons Syndrome - work exposure

Amber:

Without on-site expert inspection and perhaps testing we don't know that fiberglass is a hazard where you work.

You may also need to inspect and test your home environment.

Start by asking your doctor what might cause or aggravate your complaints.

Also search InspectApedia for MORGELLONS SYNDROME to read more.

On 2016-03-20 by Amber

I was working as a packer in the shipping department at a factory for one year. I began breaking out after 4 months and after 6 months my children started breaking out.

We have been going to doctor after doctor and dermatologist appointments for the last 9 months and still breaking out. I was unaware that I was working with fiberglass particles and my boyfriend also worked with me there.

I was washing all of our clothing with my children's clothing and our bedding. The breaking out will not subside. I would like to know how or where samples could be sent to determine that it was job related. I had a pathology report done from a biopsy done on my neck and it came back as debrees.

I was informed by a doctor that pathologist can only test for skin cell and blood borne pathogens..

I'm really stumped on what to do because I cannot get rid of the glass particles out of our stuff I was unaware that they were masks and sleeves and that I should have been wearing long sleeves and proper attire as well as washing our clothing separately. Please let me know if the is anything that I can do!

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Continue reading at FIBERGLASS DETECTION in BUILDING AIR & DUST or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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Suggested citation for this web page

LAB IDENTIFICATION OF FIBERGLASS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to FIBERGLASS HAZARDS

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