Chemical Properties
Fibrous glass is the name for a manufactured
fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is glass. Glasses
are a class of materials made from silicon dioxide with oxi des of various metals and other elements, which solidify
from the molten state without crystallization. Typically,
glass filaments >3 μm in diameter or glass “wool” with
diameters down to 0.05 μm & length >1 μm.A fiber is
considered to be a particle with a length-to-diameter ratio
of 3:1 or greater. The volume of small diameter fiber pro duction has not been determined. Fibers with diameters less
than 1 μm are estimated to comprise less than 1% of the
fibrous glass market. Specific gravity (H2O:1) = 2.5.
Hazard identification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating
System): Health 1, flammability 0, reactivity 0. Insoluble in
water.
Potential Exposure
The major uses of fibrous glass are in
thermal, electrical, and acoustical insulation; weatherproof ing, plastic reinforcement; filtration media; and in structural
and textile materials.
Waste Disposal
Fibrous glass waste and scrap
should be collected and disposed of in a manner which will
minimize its dispersal into the atmosphere. Emphasis
should be placed on covering waste containers; proper stor age of materials; and collection of fibrous glass dust.
Clean-up of fibrous glass dust should be performed using vacuum cleaners or wet cleaning methods. Dry sweeping
should not be performed.
