Man-Made Fibers May Cause Cancer
Summary Statement
Although manufactured insulation fibers are sold as a safe alternative to asbestos, some studies suggest a possible cancer risk.
Construction workers should be protected from breathing man-made mineral fibers (MMMF). The fibers — glass, ceramic, and rockwool and slagwool — are used for heat and sound insulation. Ceramic fibers are made from alumina, silica, and other metal oxides. Rockwool and slagwool are made from molten rock.
The man-made fibers
are sometimes used as a "safe" replacement for asbestos. All
kinds of asbestos can cause crippling lung diseases and cancers.
No one can be sure how safe MMMFs are. Some of them were produced more
than 100 years ago, but they were not used much in construction until
the 1970s. Many experts say it will take more time to see if work with
these fibers makes workers sick. Asbestos diseases usually take 20 years
or more to show up.
Studies have found that glasswool and ceramic fibers cause cancer in animals. And the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, says refractory ceramic fibers "possibly" cause cancer in people. (See http://www-cie.iarc.fr/htdocs/monographs/vol81/81.html )
It is best to be
careful. The most dangerous fibers may be ones so small you can't see
them. If you think you may be working with MMMFs, ask your employer. You
may need to use respirators. If you need more information, contact the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH (1-800-356-4674,
or www.cdc.gov/niosh),
or OSHA (1-800-321-OSHA or www.osha.gov).
