Can homeowners be exposed to fiberglass from water heater blankets and pipe wraps?
Certainly. Open-faced blankets and wraps will readily shed fibers. If you cannot find an alternative, fiberglass blankets sealed in some sort of fabric layer are a much better choice. The big question with this material is whether it is exposed in a living space, such as a basement, or in a non-living space like a crawlspace or an attic. Generally, the higher the use of the area, the more concern about contamination. If the material is already in place, don safety gear and wrap the fiberglass in a breathable but protective layer. Wear a respirator when sweeping areas around open fiberglass wraps. Use HEPA or ULPA vacuum.
