Health, Safety and Environment
Glasswool insulation keeps buildings and homes warm in winter, cool in summer and quiet all year long. It helps cut energy use which saves money and reduces pollution. And, it is environmentally friendly.
Glasswool insulation is made from natural ingredients, notably sand, and at least 30% recycled products. As part of its Health, Safety and Environmental policy, Insulation Refractory South Africa strives to operate according to the highest health, safety and environmental standards.
This includes understanding and communicating information about the health, safety and environmental impact of our products throughout their life cycles.
Over the last 50 years, researchers have extensively studied glasswool and have found that:
- Exposures to glasswool are low today and have been historically low.
- Our workers are healthy. Glasswool fibres have not been associated with disease in our workplace.
- Glasswool fibres disappear quickly. If inhaled, our glass wool insulation fibers disappear from the lung as fast as ordinary dust that is breathed everyday.
Insulation Refractory South Africa will continue to share new information regarding the health effects of its products with scientists, employees, regulators, customers and the public.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
1. PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
AEROLITE : CAVITYLITE : FACTORYLITE : ENERGYLITE: SNAP-ON PIPE: SOUNDLITE : FACTORYBOARD : SONIC LINER : DUCTWRAP : DUCTBOARD : ROOFLITE : ECONOLITE :
Trade Name
Fibre Glass
Chemical Family
Borosilicate Glass
Chemical Name
Fibrous Glass
Synonyms
Glass Fibre Insulation
2. COMPOSITION
Fibre Glass wool with thermosetting phenol / formaldehyde resin
Hazardous components
EEC Classification
R Phrases
3. HAZARD IDENTIFICTION
Main Hazard
Temporary mechanical irritation and itching on skin and eye contact. Temporary irritation of upper airways
Health Effects
Ingestion : None
Flammability
Non Flammable
Chemical hazard
Biological hazard
Inhalation, lungs, skin and eyes
Reproduction hazard
Eye effect: eyes: Rinse eye with clean tepid water for 10 minutes or until irritation ceases
Health effects – skin:
Wash gently with lukewarm water and soap.
Health effects – ingestion
None
Health effects – inhalation
None
Carcinogenicity
Mutagenicity
Neurotoxicity
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
Product in eye:
Flush eyes with clean tepid water for 10 minutes or until irritation ceases.
Product on skin:
Wash gently with lukewarm water and soap
Product ingested:
None
Product inhaled
None
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Extinguishing media
Water, foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder.
Special hazards
None. Primary combustion products are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and water.
Protective clothing
Fire fighters entering an area where fibrous glass is present, must wear full protective gear, including eye and respiratory protection.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Containment Procedures
This material will settle out of air. If concentrated on land, it can be scooped up for disposal as non hazardous waste.
Personal precautions
Isolate area. Keep unnecessary personnel away.
Environmental precautions
This material will sink and disperse along the bottom of waterways and ponds. It cannot easily be removed after it is waterborne, however the material is non hazardous in water.
Small spills
Use a vacuum cleaners
Large spills
Spray with water to suppress dust. Collect wet material with shovels or front-end loader.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Suitable material
Handling / storage precautions
Store and handle in a manner that prevents spread of airborne fibrous glass dust in the workplace.
Storage Procedures
No special procedures
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION Occupational exposure limits
Recommended limited 2 fibres/ml air
Engineering control measures
Local exhaust ventilation with hood : or process enclosure to contain dust.
Personal protection – respiratory
FF1 Type respiratory protection mask
Personal protection – hand
Wear Gloves
Personal protection – eye
Wear safety glasses, goggles when working at or above shoulder height
Personal protection – skin
Normal work clothing is recommended. Use gloves. Skin irritation is known to occur chiefly at the pressure points such as around the neck, wrists, waist and between the fingers.
Other protection
N/A
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Appearance | Fibrous insulation wool in rolls or batts |
| Odour | None |
| PH | 6 – 9 |
| Boiling point | Not applicable |
| Melting point | Becomes increasingly fluid from 800°C upwards |
| Flash point | None |
| Flammability | None |
| Auto flammability | None |
| Explosive properties | None Known |
| Oxidizing properties | None |
| Physical State | Stable |
| Density | SG 2.5 |
| Solubility (H20 | Insoluble in water and chemical solvents |
| Freezing Point | Not applicable |
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Conditions to avoid
Product is stable
Incompatible materials
None Known
Hazardous decomposition products11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute toxicity
None
Skin and eye contact
Skin, eye and upper airway contact : Transient irritation
Chronic toxicity
Carcinogenicity
Not described in man
Chronic Study in Animals
Component Carcinogenicity
Mutagenicity
Reproductive hazards
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Aquatic toxicity – fish
Aquatic toxicity – daphnia
Aquatic – algae
Biodegradability – Dissolves slowly in physiological solutions : otherwise persistent
Bio accumulation
Mobility
German wgk
No known adverse environmental effects
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATION
Disposal methods
Dispose of waste material in non toxic waste landfill. Handle so as to limit dust generation
Disposal of packaging
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
UnKnown
None
Substance identity no.
ADR / RID class
ADR / RID item no.
ADR / RID hazard identity no
IMDG Shipping name
IMDG class
IMDG Packaging group
IMDG Marine pollutant
IMDG EMS no.
IMDG MFAG Table no.
IATA Shipping name
IATA class
IATA Subsidiary risk (s)
ADNR Class
UK Description
UK emergency action class
UK Classification
Tremcard no
Transport in closed packaging or container to limit escape of fibrous dust
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
EEC Hazard classification
Risk phases
Safety phases
National legislation
South African Legislation : Occupational Health and Safety Act 85/1993. Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations – recommended occupational exposure limit 2 fibre / ml air
16. OTHER INFORMATION
Aerolite DOES NOT contain asbestos, is bio-soluble and poses NO health hazards. Aerolite has a class 1 fire rating from the SABS, Aerolite can NOT burn.
Fibrous glass insulation is safe when handled correctly
Reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this information, but the manufacturer makes no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to this information. The manufacturer makes no representations and assumes no liability for any direct, incidental or consequential damages resulting form its use.