Hazard with blown-in insulation?

sbrack

Hello all, I have a question about accessing my attic that has blown-in fiberglass insulation. I have a drop-down ladder from my garage and a few items stored above the garage, which does not have the insulation on the floor / ceiling of the garage. I go up there a couple of times a year to get the Christmas tree, etc. and am only up there a few minutes. 99% of the insulation is undisturbed, but I may have dropped an item on the puffy insulation a few times. There's probably thousands of people that have the same setup as this, but with "fiber phobia" rampant, I thought I'd ask the question if there was much of a health concern from doing this (the house was built in 1988). I do plan on wearing a mask in the future...

Bondo

Ayuh,... Be careful ya don't fall down the ladder....

vsheetz

Likey not fiberglass insulation - probably celulose. A Google will help you identify what you have and allay any concerns.

DrHicks

Like Bondo said, don't fall down the ladder!

That said, don't worry. Unless - for some odd reason - you have an allergy to the cellulose insulation, there's very little risk.

On the other hand, if it'd make you feel better, wear a mask when you go up into the attic.

jklingel

If it is blown fiberglass, I'd sure wear a mask and eye protection for when you open that ladder; shards of glass will be looking for your eye.

HomeSealed

If it is white or pink and "fluffy", then it is actually fiberglass. Either way, there is really no health risk from the amount of exposure that you are getting. Wearing a mask wouldn't be the worst idea though. Sometimes it can irritate your throat and you'll be coughing for a bit if you rustle it up enough.

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jklingel

So, coughing with glass shards in your lungs is not a health risk? Interesting. Sure, you aren't going to die right off, but I can not see how any fiberglass in your lungs does you any good. Bear in mind, I coughed up a carcinoid cancer tumor in 2000, so I am a bit more sensitive to these matters. Mask for sure.

HomeSealed

jklinker, please support your strongly worded comments with ANY shred of evidence. I am not saying that fiberglass insulation would never pose any hazard whatsoever. What I am saying is that a brief exposure a couple times per year as described will have 0 effect on health. This would be the equivalent of smoking a cigar or having a cocktail on a special occasion (albeit less pleasurable )... Again, if you can argue against this in any way, shape, or form, please do so.... That being said, as I've already stated, " Wearing a mask wouldn't be the worst idea".

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