Do glass fibers contribute to problems with indoor air quality?
Fiber glass insulation products have a positive impact on the indoor environment by controlling heat loss or gain; by reducing condensation which can lead to air pollutants; and by providing sound control. In 1990, the World Health Organization Working Group on Indoor Air Quality reviewed all previous scientific studies and concluded: “Current airborne man-made mineral fiber concentrations in indoor environments are considered to represent an insignificant risk.” More than 20 other studies conducted at noted universities and laboratories, examining concentrations of fiber glass and other synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs) – in residential and commercial buildings, consistently found that SVFs from insulation products in residential and commercial buildings do not significantly contribute to indoor air pollution, and would not be expected to adversely impact the health and/or well being of occupants of such buildings.
