11.18 the Facts on Rocks and Slag Wool, Pub. No. N 020, North

4P42 Section: 11.18

3 qeference:

Title: The Facts On Rocks And Slag Wool, Pub. No. N 020, North American Insulation Manufacturers ksociation, Alexandria, VA, Undated. NAIMA The Facts on Rock and Slag Wool

Information The mineral wool form of historically referred to as man- ances, and a wide variety of man-made vitreous fiber made mineral fibers, but more other applications. In addition, from NAIMA (WF)was initially devel- accurately called man-made vit- the use of rock and slag wool as oped in the late 1800's by reous fibers (MMVF's). Vitreous a horticultural gowing medium melting rock and spinning it means the substance is glassy has increased in recent years. into insulation for use in homes and non-crystalline. and industry Over the past Rock and slag wool are ex- Benefits of Rock and century mineral wool manufac- tremely useful. They are noli- Slag Wool Insulation turing bas evolved into a large combustible and will not rot or Rock and slag wool insula- and diversified industry as absorb moisture or odors. They tions play a sipficant energy- more and more products con- also will not support the gowth saving role in the United States taining this nsefiil material have of mildew, mold. or bacteria. and other nations by minimiz- been developed. Rock and slag wool fibers are di- ing energy use, thereby helping The term "mineral wool" ac- mensionally stable and have to reduce heating and cooling tually encompasses two materi- high tensile strength. costs. These insulation materials als similar in chemical and In addition to providmg insula- help protect the environment physical properties - rock tion, rock and slag wools absorb and conserve smeresources wool and slag wool - that use sound and, with a vapor retarder, hy reducing the amount of fossil different raw materials in their help conhol condensation. fuels consumed or other non-re- manufacture. Rock wool is newable materials. made from natural rocks like Major Applications of basalt or diabase. Slag wool is Rock and Slag Wool Manufacturing made primarily from iron ore The physical and chemical Rock and blast Furnace slag. properties of rock and slag wool Slag Wool Insulation As with any product capable are major factors in their utility Rock and slag wool insula- of producing airborne dust, con- Because the fibers are non-com- tions are produced by a cenhift- cerns regarding the health and bustible and have melting tem- gal wheel process. Natural rocks safety effects of rock and slag peratures in excess of 2,000~ or iron ore blast furnace slag are wool are understandable. How- they are used to prevent the melted and the hot, viscous ma- ever. few materials have been spread of fire. As a primary terial is spin into fiber by pour- studied as extensivelyas min- constituent of ceiling tile, rock ing a shamof molten material eral wool and still found to be and slag wools supply fire pre onto one or several rapidly spin- Other fact sheets are safe when handled appropri- tcction, as well as sound control ning wheels. As droplets of the available from NAIMA ately. Additional information and attenuation. melt are thrown from the concerning the health on this subject is provided in The excellent thermal resis- wheel(s], fibers are generated. aspects of man-made this brochure. tance of these wools is a major As the material fiberizes, its sur- vitreous fibers. factor in their nse as residential face is generally coated with a Properties of Rock and commercial insulation, binder andor de-dusting agent and Slag Wools pipe and process insulation, in- (e.g.,mineral oil). The fiber is Rock and slag wool fall within sulation for ships, mobile then collected and formed into

PUB# N 020 a gonp of man-made materials homes, domestic cooking appli- batts or blankets for use as insulation, or baled for use in other Vkor loose clothing. \i\'enr ing technique. Follow an vqa- washing the exposed area gently products, such as acoustical ceil- long-sleeved shirts that are loose nized housekeeping propan at with warm water and mild soap. ing tiles and panels for sound- at the neck and wrists, along all times. The vast majority of workers can control applications. with caps and long panls, to help Prevent airborne dusl. Dust control the irritation by following Due to the nature of the manu- protect sensitive skin areas From collection systems should be recommended work practices. facturing process, individual coming into contact with rock used whenever rock and slag Irritation of the eyes is not rock or slag wool fibers vary in and slag fibers. Loose clothing wool exposures may exceed rec- common. However, rock and their thickness or diameter. Tw- helps prevent the fibers from ommended levels. In particular, slag wool may be deposited in ically, individual fibers range be rubbing against the skin. De- workers engaged in operations the eye by workers' fingers or tween 1and 15 microns in pending upon the job conditions, such as sawing, machining through fibers in he air If this diameter with an average dime gloves may also be necessary. and/or blowing rock and slag should happen, do not rub the ter of 3 to 7 microns. (A micron Protectyour eyes. Wear safety wool have a greater potential for eyes. Flush them with warm is ~l~,OOO,OOOof a meter or glasses with side shields, orgog- high fiber exposures. water and consult a doctor if 1125,400 of an inch.) By com- gles, or a face shield whenever Rock and slag wools are safe to irritation persists. parison, a human hair is about handling or using rock and slag manufacture, install, and use 70 micmns in diameter. wool materials. when recommended work prac- Upper Respiratory When viewed under a micre Don't nib or scmtch your eyes. tices are followed. Consult Irritation scope, rock and slag wool fibers If rock and slag particles and your NAlMA member com- If recommended work prac- resemble single rods. If these fibers accumulate on exposed pany's Material Safety Data tices, as described above and de- fibers break, they break across skin, don't nib or scratch that Sheet (MSDS) and other com- tailed in rxh company's MSDS their long axis, resulting in area. Remove the particles by pany literature for appropriate and other literatim, are not fol- shorter fibers of the same dime washing yoiir skin thoroughly, recommendations. lowed, some workers may ewperi- ter. They do not split lengthwise but gently, with warm water The US.Occupational Safety ence temporary upper respiratory into smaller diameter fibers. and mild soap. Using a skin and Health Administration irritation if large amounts of air- cream or lotion after washing (OSHA)is currently reviewing borne rock or slag wool fibers are industry may also help. rock and slag wool to establish a released into the air during fabri- Recommended Mbsh your work clothing workplace Permissible Exposure cation or handling. Work Practices sepomtek Wash clothing that Limit (PEL). NAUvIA is working Like skin irritation, upper ms- Rock and slag wool fibers has been worn while handling with OSHA to examine all health piratory irritation is a temporary may temporarily irritate the or using rock and slag wool sey related research in mineral wml. reaction to the fibers, not an al- skin, eye$ and rspiratory bact. arately from nther household NATMA has recommended that lergic reaction. and the irritation Accordingly, manufacturers laundry This will prevent fibers OSHA adopt a 1 fiber per cubic should not persist. reconmend work practices to from being transferred to other centinieter (1 Vcc) PEL. This rec- Exposures to high airborne assure the comfort and safety clothes. Rinse your washing ommendation is based on pm- concentrations of mck and slag of persons who handle or machine thoroughly before us- dence and not significant risk wool fibers may also result in install rock and slag wool or ing it again. If there are many temporary coughing or wheez- finshed products. fibers on clothes, it is best to pre- Skin and Eye irritation ing. These effects will subside Among the recommended soak and rinse the garments Rock and slag wool fibers may soon after the worker is removed work practices of NAIMA mem- prior to washing. irritate the skin of some workers from exposure and should have ber companies are: Keep your work ore0 clean. in manufacturing plants as well no further impact on health and Use mpimtors when Avoid unnecessary handling of as some people working with or well being. oppmpriote. Consult individual scrap rock and slag wool materi- rising materials containing these Careful attention to good manufacturers for specific rec- als by keeping waste-disposal fibers. This irritation is a reac- housekeeping and recom- onmiendations on the tB>eand equipuruul as dust: tu tlie work tion of the skin to the ends of mended work practices, hclud- use of respirators. It is impor- area as possible. Don't let scrap these fibers that have rubbed ing the use of approved tant that respirators be used material or debris pile up on the against or become embedded in respiratory protection when nec- properly. In industrial situa- floor or other areas. Do not use a the skin's outer layer. Generally, essary, can effectively conk01 tions, an appropriate training compressed air line to clean the the thicker the fiber, the more exposure to concentrations of and fit-testing program must be work area - it generates air- likely it is to cause skin irritation. airborne fibers and upper respi- incorporated into a respiratory- borne dust and stirs fibers. Use Skin irritation is a temporary ratory irritation. protection program. a fi!tered vacuum or wet sweep- condition that can be relieved by 2 Health and Safety Research on Rock and Slaa Wool J

Information Introduction Rock and slag wool have many and universities in theunited The mineral wool form of extremely useful characteristics. States and abroad. Studies have from NAIMA man-made vitreous fibers They will not burn, rot, or absorb examined workers employed in (MMVF) was developed in the moisture or odors. They do not the industry, animals exposed to late 1800's by melting slag and support the growth of mildew, mineral wool, and levels of air- spWgit into insulation for mold or bacteria. Rock and slag borne fibers encountered in use in homes and industry wwl fibers are dimensionally manufacture, installation and Mineral wool insulation today stable and have high tensile use. is an important energy-saver strength. In addition to insulat- The human studies have not and helps protect the environ- ing, mkand slag wool absorb found any dose-responserela- ment by reducing the need lo sound and, with a vapor barrier, tionship between lung cancer or burn fossil fuels. help conhol condensation. Be- other mspiratoly disease and ex- The health effects and safe use cause the fibers are noncom- posure to rock or slag wool. of rock and slag wool have been bustible and have melting Animal inhalation studies with examined for many years. Nu- temperaturesin excess of massive exposures to rock or merous studies have found no 2,OOO"E they are frequently used slag fibers, and animal injection consistent evidence of any asso- to prevent the spread of fire. studies with commercial fibers, ciation between exposure to Many uses have been discov- have also been negative. The these fibers and any disease. emd for slag and mck wool animal experiments also show This pamphlet provides an primarily for commercial and that inhaled mck or slag wool overview of these studies industrial insulation and in fibers dissolve and fragment and acoustical ceiling tiles, but also are thus clemd rapidly fmm the Uses of Rock and as a horticultural growing lung. Scientists consider this Slag Wools medium. The excellent thermal rapid dissolution advantageous Rock and slag mineral wwl fall resistance of rock and slag wools in preventing adverse health within a pupof man-made ma- is a major factor in their use in effects (EEC 1990). terials historically referred to as residential and commercial At the same time, human man-made mineral fibers insulation, pipe and process studies have reported some (MMMFs),but more accurately insulation, insulation for ships, lung cancer excesses among called man-madevimous fibers domestic cooking appliances, mineral wool manufacturing (MMvFs). (Vibous means the and a wide variety of other workers: and, in a few studies substance is glassy and noncrys- application.. where experimental, nonconi- Other fact sheets are talline.) While similar in both mercial rock wool fibers were available from NAIMA chemical and physical proper- The Mineral Wool injected into animal lungs, tu- concerning the health ties, mkand slag wool are made Industry's Dedication mors developed. These results aspects of man-made fruim Merent raw materials: rock to Research have prompted some concerns vitreous fibers. wool is made fmm natural rocks Few products have been stud- that rock and slag wools could, like basalt or diabase; slag wwl ied to the extent of rock and slag under certain conditions, be as- fmm iron ore blast furnace slag. wool. Manufacturer funding of sociated with cancer. health and safety research spans The rock and slag wool stud-

PUB# N 021 decades, at leading laboratories ies have been evaluated by the International Agency for Rc- Occupational at all, and should not be a cause sure to rock wool fibers for at search on Cancer (IARC]. an arm Exposure to Rock and for any concern . .." least five years. Malmberg of the World Health Organization Slag Wool Fibers (1984) similarly observed no ab- (WHO);the International Labour Rock and slag wool fibers can Health and normalities in lung function and Organization (LO);the Interna- become airborne during manu- Safety Studies found normal chest X-rays tional hgramme on Chemical facture or installation. Numerous Mineral wool health and safety among workers with more than Safety (IPCS),a joint effort of the industrial hygiene surveys have effects have been studied tbmugb ten years experience in rock LO, WHO and Uniled Nations determined airborne concentra- surveillance of workers, through wool production. (UN)Environmental Pro- tions during such activities. animal experiments, and tbmugh gamme; and various US.gov- Several thousand occupa- studies of the fate of fibers in the Human ernment health agencies, tional exposure samples have body. Each type of study has Mortality Studies including the Environmental been taken over the past five contributed to the consensns that Mortality studies look at pat- Protection Agency (EPA) and the years in more than thirty manu- these products can be manufac- terns of death. Two major Occupational Safety and Health facturing and fabricating plants ttmd and used safely decade-long, on-going cohort Administration (OSHA). Each, in North America and Europe. mortality studies of rock and slag although exprcssing concern Average airborne concentrations Human wool workers, one in the US. about health effects at the high ex- have been found to be typically Morbidity Studies and one in Europe. have found posures of the past, has reached less than 0.4 Vcc (NAIMA 1990). Morbidity studies look for un- no dose-response relationship conclusions consistent with man- Recent monitoring of rock and usual or unexpected patterns of between cancer, or other pul- ufachirer findings that modern slag wool product installations at disease in a livingshidypopda- monary disease, and exposure to uses of mineral wool are safe. 34 locations found a mean con- tion. Both USand European wool fibers. A more recent US. Rock and slag wnol fibers arc centration of fl.2 flcc (NAIMA mineral wool worker studies have case-control study of nearly regulated by OSHA as a "partic- 1990). Other studies have fonnd no adverse health effects. 5,000 workers at nine plants ulate not otherwise regulated shown that some field installa- An on-going study of workers found no association between with an 8-hour Lime-weighted tions in enclosed or confined in slag wool plants by Dr. Hans slag wool and hung cancer. average [TWA) 01 15 mg/m3 for spaces [such as blowing wool'in Weill olTulane University The most recent update of the total dust and 5 mg/m3 for the attics) can generate higher expo- found, when first reported (Weill US.mortality study (Marsh respirable fraction. Bolh manu- sure levels (IPCS 1989: LO 1984) that the "prevalences of 1990). like the earlier report (En- facturers and labor unions (AI'L- 1989). These data have led man- respiratory symptoms . . . are not terline 19871, found no increased CIO 1991) have recommended ufacturers to recommend respi- increased' and there was "no CD incidence of mesothelioma (a to OSHA that a new 1 fiber per ratory protection or careful work herent pattern of symptoms in rare cancer of the lung or stom- cubic centimeter (1 Ycc) krinis- practices and engineering con- relation to exposure..." The re- ach linings associated with as- sible Exposure Limit (PEL) be trols to reduce exposures. cent update of hisstudy (Weill bestos exposure) among 1,846 adopted in a planned compre- 1990) again found no lung ab- production workers at US.min- hensive OSHA update of expo- Indoor Air Exposure normalities that could be at- edwool plants. The study sure limits for construction and to Rock and tributed to slag wool fiber found a small, statisticallysi@- other industries. Slag Wool Fibers exposure. Evaluations of chest cant increase in lung cancer for Manufacturers of rock and Once rock or slag wool prod- X-rays and lung function tests mineral wool workers. This in- slag wool products control expo- ucts are installed, no si@cant indicated a generally healthy crease was not associated with sures in their omplants and fiber release occm. The majority population; any observed fiber levels, duration of employ- recomnlend prudent work prdc- of airhorne fiber levels in huild- abnormalities were found to ment, or other measures of ~xpo- tices for installation activities to ings containing one or more rock be relaled, as expected, to sure-responserelationships -as maintain exposures below 1 ficc or slag wool fiber pmducts axe in smoking habits. would be expected if wool fibers [rrCS 1989: ILO 1989). These the non-detectable range, gener- Results from two Eiiropeau were a cause of lung cancer. As practices are described in Mate- ally less than 0.01 Vcc. The studies of rock wool workers are the AFL-CIO (1991)noted: rial Safety Dala Sheets (MSDS's) lLoiw"International Pro- consistent with Dr. Weill's find- "[Cllear and consistent dosere- supplied by manufacturers. The gramme on Chemical Safety ings. Sknric and Stahuljak sponse relationships are lacking, MSDS's from suppliers should (1988) report found that at such Beritic (1984)observed no which axe critical to supporting a be consulted lor current and low levels "the possible risk for excess change in measured in- causal relationship." specific product safety and the general population of lung dices of lung function that could The European mortality study health information. cancer is very IOT~if there is my be associated with worker expe (inonato 1987) of seven 2 rockislag wool plants also found In addition, the increase in femd method for assessing fiber or implantation studies with no increased mesothelioma or lung cancers in the European carcinogenicityas they simulate non-commercial, experimental deaths due to nonmalignant res- study population was entirely the route of exposure experi- rock wool fibers that may have piratory disease. The study re among workers with less than enced by humans (IPCS 1988). been coated with amines that ported an excess of lung cancer five years employment in MMVF Several lifetime inhalation stud- could have been converted to among rock and slag wool work- production. This short-term ies of laboratory animals ex- carcinogenic nitrosamines ers employed during an early worker factor parallels what was posed to high levels of rock or within the animals (Pott 1987). technological phase before the observed in the US.study. A re slag wool fibers have found no EPA (1988)noted: "Caution introduction of dust suppressing cent review by a team of inde- significant malignant or nonma- must be exercised in extrapolat- agents. During the modern pe pendent British, Ausldian and lignant respiratory disease (Wag ing" these fidings to humans as nod, however, the lung cancer American experts (Brown 1991) ner 1984;Le Bouffant 1987: "the results from such studies rates for rock and slag wool noted: "These [short-term Smith 1987). As IPCS (1988) may not be predictive of inhala- workers (even among workers worker] findings are the reverse and EFA (19881, respectively, tion hazard." exposed more than 20 years ago) of what would be expected if the concluded: "In the majority of were lower than the general fibers were causing lung cancer." the inhalation studies con- International population. A recently completed case- ducted to date, there has been Reviews of Rock The absence of any evidence control study of US. workers little or no evidence of fibrosis of and Slag Wools of increased mesotheliomas in (Wong 1991)compared rockislag the lungs;" and "long-term stud- The International Agency for both large studies has been wool exposures among workers ies have not provided evidence Research on Cancer (IARC)clas- noted in both the IARC (1988) who had died of lung cancer to of pulmonary or mesothelial car- sified rock and slag wool fibers and IPCS (1988)reviews. Atten- workers in the same plants who cinogenicity in rats or hamsters in 1988 as "possibly" carcino- tion has thus been focused on had died of other causes. The exposed to mineral wool fibers genic to humans - a category the lung cancer fidings. study found no association be by inhalation." into which lARC has also placed Worker exposures to asbestos tween lung cancer and exposure Manufacturers initiated addi- saccharin. styrene, gasoline en- fihers and other possible car- to fibers. Neither duration of, tional inhalation experiments in gine exhaust, and over 150 other cinogens, including arsenic, nor cumillative exxposw tu, 1990, in Geneva, Switzerland, substances. lARC found "lim- formaldehyde,phenol, and mineral wool fibers was associ- exposing rats to concentrations ited" human evidence and "lini- polycyclic aromatic hydrocar- ated with lung cancer. As the many hundreds of times greater ited" (for rock wool) and bons, and worker smoking authors reported: "Consistently, than those found in the work- "inadequate" (for slag wool) ani- habits, are the most plausible ex- no relation was detected in any place. The experiments also mal evidence of carcinogenicity, planations for the small excesses of these analyses." By contrast, will look at deposition, dissolu- IARC has two more severe rating in lung cancer observed in the all lung cancer cases were found tion and clearance of fibers from categories, "probable human study populations. The likeli- in smokers; and there was a the animals' lungs. The studies carcinogen" and "known human hood of an asbestos effect is clear doseresponse relationship are scheduled to be completed carcinogen." IAKC evaluations strengthened by a recenlly puh- between amount of smoking and in 1993. are not workplace risk assess- lished report by McDonald lung cancer. Researchershave also surgi- ments hut are intended to assist (1990)that found no slag wool Updates of the US.and Euro cally implanted mineral wool health authorities and corpora- fihers in lung tissues obtained pean mortality studies are antici- fibers into the pleura (chest),ah- tions in formulating decisions from eleven deceased workers pated in 1993. Each will dominal cavities, and tracheae regarding regulatory or preven- who were members of the U.S. include case-control studies to of animals. Such methodsdo tive measures. IARC's actions study population, while four of further explore worker expo- not simulate human exposure have led most manufacturers to six workers had sigruficant sures to asbestos fibers, arsenic conditions, by-pass normal ani- use warning labels and/or Mate- amosite asbestos fibers in their and other carcinogens, worker mal defense systems, and are rial Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) lungs. Summing up the US smoking habits, and the short- generally considered of limited to inforni product users that min- study, its author (Enterline 1990) term worker effect. value to assessing human risk. eral wool has been classified as a noted that there "are no excesses Implantation or injection studies "possible" cancer hazard and to in mkwool plants" and that Animal Studies of commercial slag and rock identily measures for safe prod- "[pjrobably,however, fibers do Animal studies support the re wool did not produce significant uct handliy and installation. not play the major part in the sults from the human morbidity tumors (Wagner 1984; Stanton The United Nations Environ- excess of cancer among slag and mortality studies. 1977; Pott 1987). Positive results mental Programme, the Interna- wool workers." Inhalation studies are the pre were obtained in three injection tional Labour Organization 3 I (LO), and the World Health Or- In addition, contact my nxufactu- I.lammad, Y., and N. &men, "Long- Skuric, Z., and Stahuljak-Beritic, ganization [WHO) also evalu- er of rock and slag wool to obtain Term Survey of Airborne Fibrer in the "Occupational Exposure and Ventilatory Material Safety Data Sheetsfor United States," Biological Effects 01 Man- Function Changer in Rock Wool ated rock and slag wool in recent specific and current health and Made Mineral Fibres, Vol. 1, Workers." Biological Eflects 01 Man. years. Each found these materi- safety information. 118-132 (1984). Made Mineral Fibres. Vol. 1, 436-37 (1984). als can be used safely NAIMA MEMBER InternationalAgency for Research on COMPANIES INCLUDE Cancer (IARC), Monographs on the Smith. D.M., et .I.. "Long-Term Health The LO (1989) concluded: Evaluation of Cancer Risks lo Humanr, Effects in Hamsters and Rats Expored 'fivailable [human and animal] Celotex Corporation Vol. 43, Man-Made Mineral Fibres and Chronically to MamMade Vitreous Tampa, Florida Radon (1988). Fibres," 31 Ann. Orcup. Hyg., data on disease incidence and CertainTeed Corporation International Labour Organization, "Safely 731-754 (1987). mortality in populations ex- Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in the Use of Mineral and Synthetic Fiberr Stanton, M.F., et al., "Carcinogenicity of posed to respirable fiber concen- Knauf Fiberglass -Working Document." Meeting of Expert! Fibrous Glass: Pleural Response in the on Safety in the U5e of Mineral and Rat in Relation to Fiber Dimension." trations in the manufacture and Shelbyviile, Indiana Synthetic Fiberr (Geneva, SB(3) 1. Nay1 Cancer Inrt., Owens-Corning Fiberglas April 17-25. 1989). 587-603 (1977). use of insulation wools [rock, Corporation slag and glass) indicate that with Toledo, Ohio lohnron, N.F., and Wagner, I.C. "AStudy Thermal Insulation Manufacturer5 by Electron Microscopy of the Effects of Assodation (NAIMA). "Health and Safety of Partek Insulations, Incorporated the adoption appropriate con- Chrysotile and Man-Made Mineral Fibres Aspects of Man-Made Vitreous Fibers," Peachtree City, Georgia trol and preventive measures on Rat Lungs." in Biological Effects of submitted in response to NIOSH? Rock Wool Manufacturing Company any risks associated with pro- Mineral Fibres, I.C. Wagner (ed.), Request for Comments and Secondary Leeds, Alabama Vol. I, 293-303 (1980). Data Relevant to Occupational Exporure duction and use of the insula- Roxul Incorporated Le Bouffant, L.. et 4.."Experimental to Synthetic and Natural Mineral tion wools should be minimal.'' Milton, Ontario Study on Long-Term Effects of Inhaled Fiber5 (1990). The WHOIILORIN report Schuller International, Incorporated MMMF on the Lungs of Rats. 31 Ann. Wagner, I.C.. et al.. "Animal Experiments (a subsidiary of Manville Corporation) Occup. Hyg.. 765-790 (1987). with MMMMF - Effects of Inhalation (1988) sindarly concluded that. Denver, Colorado Malmberg, P.. et PI., "Pulmonary Fundon in and Intrapleural inoculation in Rats," in Biological Effects of Man-Made Mineral because "airborne bWfibre USG Interiors Nbkof a Mineral Rmk Fibre Plant" Fibres, Vol. 2. 209-223 (1984). concentrations present in work- Chicago, Illinois Biological EffeRsdMan-Made Mineral Fibrer.Vol. 1,427435(1984), Weill. H., et 81.. "Respiratory Health in U. 5. Mineral Products Company places with modern contml tech- Workers Expored to Man-Made Vilreour Nefcong, New/eAey Marsh. G.. et ai.. "Mortality Among a nology are low," the lung cancer Cohort of U.S. Man-Made Mineral Fiber Fiberr,"l28 Am. Rev. Rerp. Dis.. Western Fiberglass Incorporated 104.1 12 (1 983). risk would not be expected to be Workers: 1985 Follow-Up." 32 I. Occup. Salt Lake City, Utah Med., 594-604 (1990). Weill, H., et .I., "Follow-up Study of the elevated aid mpoaurw in build- McDonald, I.C.. et al., "Lung Dust Respiratory Health of Fibrous Clas~and ings with in-place rock and slag References Analysis in the Amsrment 01 Past Mineral Wool Workers," Tulane Exposure of Man-Made Mineral Fiber University Medical Center, Report wool produck "should not lie a AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Workers." 34 Ann. Occup. Hyg.. to NAIMA. (1 990). Department Safety and Health cause for concern." 427-41 (1990). Wong, 0.. etal., "A Care-Control Study Committee Position Paper, "Man Made of Lung Cancer in a Cohort of Workers Mineral Fiberr" (lune 1991). Mieninen, 0.8.. and Rorriter. C.E., "Man- Made Mineral Fiberr and Lung Cancer: Potentially Expored to Slag Wool Conclusion Brown, R.C., et ai., "Carcinogenicity of Epidemioiogic Evidence Regarding the Fibers,'' 48 Br. I. industry. Med., the Insulation Wools: Rearreirment of More than 50 years of research Causal Hypothesis," 16 Scand. I.Work 818(1991). the IARC Evaluation," 14 Reg. Toxicol. & Environ. Health, 221-31 (1990). Worid Health Organirationllnternationili and evaluation have fuund nu Pharmacoi., 12-23 (1991). Muhle. H., et al., "Inhalation and Labour Organization, International consistent evidence that qosire EEC, loin1 European Medical Research Injection Experiments in Rats to Test the Program on Chemical Safety. Board, Commission Proposal CO 85, to mck or slag wool fibers is asso Carcinogenicity of MMMF,' 31 Ann. Environmental Health Criteria 77, "Man-Made Mineral Fiberr," European Occup. Hyg., 755-764 (1987). MamMade Mineral Fihres (1988). ciated with disease. Rock and slag Economic Commission DG XI Working wool fiberj are safe to manufac- Group (1990). Pon. F., et al., "Carcinogenicity Studies on Natural and Man-Made Fiberr with the Enterline, P., et al., "Mortality Update of a ture,instdl and use whcn lnmpedtoneal Test in Rats.'' Symposium NAIMA is a trade associa- Cohort of U.S. Man-Made Mineral Fibre on Mineral Fiberr in 1heNonmcupational recommended work practices Workers," 31(48) Ann. Occ. Hyg., 625- tion of North American Environment. IARC ScienNlc Pub. NO.90 followed. 56(1987). are (Lyon: t4RC 1987). manufacturers of fiber glass, Enledine, P., Editorial, "Role of Manmade Pott, F., et ai., "New Results lrom rock wool, and slag wool in- Mineral Fibrer in the Causation of Cancer,'' Implantation Experiments with Mineral For More Information 47 Br. I. lndurtry Med., 14546(1990). sulation products. NAIMA's For the latest update on medical and Fibres," Biological Effects of Man-Made Environmental Protection Agency. Vu. Mineral Fibres, Vol. 2, 286-302 (1984). role is to promote energy scientific information on rock and V.T.. "Health Hazard Arrerrment of Sirnonilto, L., et ai., ''Tine International efficiency and environmcnta! slag wool, call or write: Nonarbertor Fibers," Health and Agencylar Research on Cancer NAIMA Environmental Review Division, Office of preservation through the use Historical Cohort Study of MMMF Toxic Substances (Final Draft of fiber glass, rock wool, 44 Canal Center Plaza Production Workers in Seven European Dec. 30,1988). Countries: Extension of the Follow-Up," and slag wool insulation Suite 310 Hammad Y., "Effect of Chemical 31 (48) Ann. Occup. Hyg., products and to encourage Alexandria, VA 22314 Composition on Pulmonary Clearance of 603-23 (1987). Man-Made Mineral Fibres," 32 Ann. TEL 703/684-0084 safe production and use of in- Occup. Hyg.. 769-79 (1 988). sulation products. Supplement I.

4 Health and Safety Several of these studies also ble rule of confounding facton, Research suggest that rock and slag wool e.g.,asbestos, arsenic and poly- The safety of mkand slag wool fibers have a reduced persk- cyclic ammatic hybbonex- has been studied exhaustively tence in the lung, an observation posures and the role of large over the past 50 years. Since that may help explain the ab- numbers of short term workers in 1987,several major scientific re- sence of adverse health effects. the study arc being examined views have been published hy the thmugh further follow-up. A Eu- International Agency for Researcb Current Production mpean mortality study of 10,115 on Cancer (IARC),the U. S. Envi- Worker Studies production workers in seven rock ronmental Protection Agency Studies of current production and slag wool plants found no in- (PA),the International Labour workers also support the conclu- creased risk of lung cancer or Oqanization (LO], the Interna- sion that rock and slag wool nonmalignant respiratory disease tional Programme on Chemical fibers do not present a si&- after the intrudnction of dust sup- Safety (Ipcs),and the World cant risk of respiratory disease. pressing agents. Updates of these Health -tion (WHO]. A 1983 study of employees at U. S. and European studies m Tlme mas of research have two slag wool plants concluded anticipated in 1993. been especially important: ani- that the "prevalence of respira- Taken together, the production mal experimental studies; health tory symptoms are not increased worker studies and animal assessments of current produc- in the population and no coher- studies on rock and slag wool tion employees; and analysis of ent pattern of symptoms in rela- fibers indicated to the 1989 In- former production employees' tion to exposure to MMVF ternational Labour Organization death rates and causes. [Man-MadeVitreous Fibers] expert group that "with the The results of these studies and emerges." A 1990 follow-up of adoption of appropriate conlrol reviews by independent re- the study similarly concluded and preventive measnres . .. searchers have determined no that lung abnormalities observed detectable risk with production cause-and-effect relationship be- weit iiul attribulalle to slag and use of Lhe insulation wools tween rock wool andor slag wool exposures. These findings should be minimal." that mineral wool has been so wool exposure and disease. are consistent with European This conclusion is consistent I classified and to identify mea- studies of rock wool manufac- with a recent study of workers in 1 sures for safe product handling Animal turing workers, nine slag wool plants, including Experimental Studies two ceiling tile manufacturing Nimemus animal studies in- Former Production plants, that found no association volving inhalation, injection and Worker Studies between lung cancer and expo- implantation of rock and slag Two mortality studies of former sure to rock and slag wool fibers. wool fibers have consistently production employees have not found that either no tumors have demonstrated evidence of a dose- Safety of been produced or the number of response relationship between In Place Products tumors produced were not statis- occupational exposure to rock In 1990, the World Health Or- tically sigruficant. Tissue reac- wool or slag wool and any cause ganization's Working Group on tions noted in the inhalation of death. A U. S. study of 1,846 Indoor Air Quality reviewed all studies were predominately con- workers at six U. S. slag wool available scientific studies and fmed to cellular reactions consis- plants found no increased risk for concluded: "Current airborne tent with normal lung reaction to mesothelioma, a cancer of the man-made mineral fiber concen- exposure to large amounts of any lining of the lung or abdominal tration in indoor environments kind of dust. In one injection cavity. A small, statistically sig are considered to represent an study, positive results were ob- nifi~~tincrease in lung cancer insignificant risk." IARC, EPA, tained with an experimental was observed but was not associ- OSHA and others continue to E rock wool material that had a ated with slag wool exposure lev- view the health and safety of surface coating which is now els, duration of employment, or these products. known to be a carcinogen. The other measures of exposurere fiber has never been marketed. sponse relationships. The possi- 3 Summary For More Information Rock and slag wools are safe to For a more detailed overview of the manufacture, install and use latest medicallscientific research on rock and slag wool, refer to the when recommended work prac- NAlMA brochure, "Health and tices are followed. Some work Safety Research On Rock and Slag Wool." Or write: practices and exposure guide NAlMA lines vary among nianufactur- 44 Canal Center Plaza en. Consult your NAIMA Suite 310 member company's MSDS and Alexandria, VA 22314 other company literature for TEL 703/684-0084 work practice gnidelines. Com- pleted research, interim results NAlMA MEMBER from ongoing studies and com- COMPANIES INCLUDE prehensive research reviews by Celotex Corporation Tampa, Florida scientific oqanizations and in- CertainTeed Corporation dependent researchers have Valley Forge, Pennr yivania found no evidence of significant Knauf Fiberglass health risk when rock and slag Shelbyilie, indiana products and systems Owens-Corning Fiberglas wool are Corporation properly designed, installed, op Toledo, Ohio erated and maintained. The re Partek Insulations, Incorporated sults of these studies have heen, Peachtree City. Georgia Rock Wool Manufacturing Company and will continue to be, made Leeds, Alabama available to employees, cus- Roxul Incorporated tomers and appropriate govern- Milton, Ontario niaul aid ~cg~ilatolgiapicies. Schuller International, Incorporated (a subsidiaty of Manville Corporation) Denvec Colorado USG Interiors Chicago, illinois U. 5. Mineral Products Company Netcong, Newlersey Western Fiberglass Incorporated Salt Lake City, Utah

NAIMA is a trade association of North American manufacturers of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products. NAIMA's role is to promote energy efficiency and environmental preservation throngh the nsc of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products and to encourage safe production and use of insulation products

4 NAIMA MineralWool Facts

Manufacturing serving energy and energy re- (OSHA),through its Hazard rock and slag wool or finished The mineral wool form of sources worldwide. In recent Communication Standard or products. man-made vitreous fiber years, rock and slag wool usage "HAZCOM regulation, re- Use properly-fitted respirators (MMVF), also known as man- as a horticultural growing quires that employers have when appropriate: consult indi- made mineral fiber (MMMF), medium has steadily increased. health and safety information vidual manufacturers' recom- was developed in the late available, including labels that mendations on the type and use 1800's. The term "mineral Product Labeling wam of possible health effects, of respirators. wool" actually encompasses The International Agency for for all materials used in their Wear safety glasses with side two materials similar in physi- Research on Cancer [IARC], workplaces. Additionally, HA?- shields or goggles or a face cal and chemical properties. part of the World Health Orga- COM requires employers to shield whenever handling or Rock wool is made by melting nization, periodically evaluates train all workers in the safe using products made with rock natural rock, such as basalt, the potential health effects of methods for handling and or slag wool. and centrifugally spinning it the many substances to which working with these substances, Wear loose clothing. Wear into fibers. Slag wool is simi- humans are exposed. IARC plus other requirements. long-sleeved shirts that are larly manufactured from iron classifies substances as As part of a Construction/ loose at the neck and wrists, ore blast furnace slag. "known," "probably," "possi- General Industry Standard, along with caps and long pants, bly," "not classifiable'' or OSHA is currently reviewing to help protect sensitive skin Properties and Uses "probably not" carcinogenic. mineral wool to establish a areas from coming into contact Rock and slag wool have These evaluations are not workplace permissible expo- with rock and slag wool fibers. extremely useful properties: workplace risk assessments sure limit (PEL). TIMA is work- Loose clothing helps prevent excellent insulation and sound but are intended only to assist ing with OSHA to examine all the fibers hmrubbing against absorbency, non-combustibil- health authorities and corpora- health-related research on min- the skin. Depending upon the ity, high tensile strength, and tions in formulating decisions eral wool. In the meantime, job conditions, gloves may also dimensional stability. They do regarding regulatory or NAIMA's Board of Governon be necessary. not rot, absorb moisture or preventive measures. has recommended that OSHA Avoid rubbing or scratching odors, or support the growth of Saccharin,stpne, gasoline adopt a 1 fiber per cubic cen- skin if rock or slag wool mildew, mold or bacteria. engine exhaust and over 150 timeter (1 Ucc) PEL for mineral particles acc.umulateon ex- As a primary constituent of other substances, as well as min- wool. This recommendation is posed skin. ceiling tile, rock and slag wools eral wool, are currently classi- based on grounds of prudence Prevent dust by using local provide both fire protection and fied as a possible carcinogen. and not significant risk. exhaust ventilation whenever sound control. Their superior IARCs actions have led to the the rock or slag wool exposure thermal resistance accounts for use of waning labels andor ma- Industry Recommended may exceed established dust widespread usage as insulation terial safety data sheets (MSDS) Work Practices standards or recommended in homes and buildings, as well to inform product users that Rock and slag wool fibers fiber levels. as in chemical processing in- mineral wwl has been classified may temporarily irritate the Keep work areas clean and dustries, ships, mobile homes, as a possible carcinogen and to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. clean up surfaces by wet wip- cooking appliances and other identify measures for safe pmd- Accordingly, manufacturers ing or filtered vacuuming. applications. Rock and slag uct handling and installation. recommend work practices to Wash work clothing sepa- wool insulation reduce heating The U.S. Occupational Safety assure the comfort and safety of rately to prevent fibers from be- and cooling costs, thereby con- and Health Administration persons who handle or install ing transferred to other clothes.

PUB# N WS NMsrecommendations fibers do not present a de- wool plants fuund ILUiucreased for handling, fabricating and tectable risk of respiratory dis- risk of lung cancer or nonmalig- applying mineral wool prod- ease. A 1983 study'of nant respiratory diseases after ucts are intended as general employees at two slag wool the introduction of dust-sup guidelines. Work practices and plants concluded that the pressing agents. Updates of other data are described in ma- "prevalences of respiratory these US.and European stud- terial safety data sheets (MSDS) symptoms are not increased in ies are anticipated in 1993. and other literature provided by this population and no coher- Taken together, the earlier manufacturers. ent pattern of symptoms in rela- production worker studies tion to exposure to MMVF and animal studies on rock and Health and Safety Studies [man-madevitreous fibers] slag wool fibers indicated to the The safety of rock and slag emerges." A 1990 follow-up 1989 International Labor Orga- References 1TIMAIn(.,HealthandSrfety~ppctrdMan- wool has been studied exten- study' similarly concluded that nization expert group that madeVlfreour Fibem, Table No. 3, submitted to sively over the past 50 years. lung abnormalities observed "with the adoption of appropri- NaUonal Imtu1e on Occupational Safety and Health. (rummuhong lnfemationalngelxy for Three areas of research have were not attributable to slag ate control and preventive mea- Rewadon Cancermonographandr", dab) Uuly IO. 1990). been especially important: wool exposures. These find- sures... detectable risk 2W4, H.. et all "Rwratoly Hsllth of Weem animal experimental studies; ings are consistent with with production and use of Io Man-made Vl- Fik," Ann. Eum- lrevRq%r.oirr.128:104(1983). health assessments of current pean studieP of rock wool the insulation wools should 3Well. H. el al, "Fdlow-up Stqd the kqimo- "I Health d FihrGlru adMineral Wcd production employees;and manufacturing workers be minimal."* Wh,"Tubne U0-y Medual Center, analyses of former production This conclusion is consistent vntonw in(. (190). 45kufi. 2. and Slahdjak-Bedtic,"~cupatimal employees' death rates and Former Production with a recent study" of Oiporure and Ventilaloy Function Changer in Rrxk WdWoherr: Wodd Health Organim causes. The results of these Worker Studies workers in nine slag waol fion. Biological Ekt! of Man-made Mineral studies and reviews by inde- Two mortality studies of for- plants, including two ceiling Fibres. Vol. 1427 (1984). s~aimkg,r. etat, "'Pulmonary~~~ct~~ in pendent researchers have mer production employees tile manufacturing plants, that WorXerr of a Mine~lROtk Fibre Plant'' World Health Organiration, BiologKvl EkUd Mm- determined no cause-and- have not demonstrated e\i- does not demonstrate an asso- made Mineral Fik,Vd 1:427 (19M). ell'ect relationship between dence ot'a dose-related relation- ciation betwecn lung cancer 6Md.C M.. et 81. "MMalty hnga CohM d U.5. Man-made Mineral FikWh-1985 rock wool andor slag wool ship between occupational and exposure to rock and slag Fdlow-up: I.. mtup. Mpd. 32594 (1 530). exposurc and disease. exposure to rock wool or slag wool fibers. 754-10, L eta1. me lnlemationrl AgencylW ReearCh on C~WRnL-1 CmSWy of wool and any causes of death. MMMF Rod& Wohm in Iwen bmpn CmnVler: Oitpnrim d Ihe Fdlow-up." Ann. Animal Experimental A US.study" of 1,846 workers Safety of In-Place map. Hgy. 31: MI3 (1987) Studies at six slag wool plants Products 8lntmtional Labrorgankaflo". "%fey I" me US. Useof Mimaland Synlkl~Rk-WorUng Numerous animal studies in- found no increased risk for In 1990, the World Health Daument: Meting of Dim on Safety in Ule Ux of Mineral and Synthetic Fiberr (tenwr. volving inhalation, injection mesothelioma, a cancer of the Organization's Working Group apdl 17-25, 1989). and implantation of commer- lining of the lung or abdominal on Indoor Air Quality reviewed 9Wmg. 0.and Foliarf. D., "A Care.ConM1 Study of Lung Cancer in a Coho" of Woken Potential- cially-produced rock and slag cavity. A small, statistically sig- all available scientific studies ly &pod to Slag WdFikm," Br. I,. Cmup. Md.On pm)(1991). wool fibers have consistentiy nificant increase in lung cancer and concluded: "Current air- shown no statistically signif- risk was observed but was not borne man-made mineral fiber cant incidence of fibrosis or tu- associated with slag wool expo concentration in indoorenvi- mors.' Animal studies also sure levels, duration of employ- mnments are considered to rep suggest that rock and slag wool ment, or other measures of resent an insignificant risk." fibers have a reduced persis- exposure-response relation- tence in the lung, an observa- ships. The possible role of con- tion that may help to explain founding factors, e.g., asbestos, For additional the absence or health effects arsenic and polycyclic aromatic Information in animals. hydrocarbon exposures, and ef- write to: fects due to the large number of NAIMA Current Production short term workers are being 44 Canal Center Plaza Worker Studies examined through further Suite 310 Studies of cimnt pmductiou study. A European mortality Alexandria, VA 22314 workers also support the con- study'of 10,115production TEL 7031684-0084 chisinn that slag 2nd rnckwoo! wnrkers in seven m& and slag The manufacture of mineral wool involves the heating of slag (the type of slag depends on the source of slag closest to the facility manufacturing the mineral wool) and rock in a cupola furnace charged with blast-furnace slag, silica rock, and coke. The charge is heated to a molten state at about 3000°F (165OOC). The material is then transferred to a blowchamber which fiberizes the molten material. There are two methods for fiberizing mineral wool which are used exclusively in the U.S. The Downey process involves releasing the molten material on a concave spinning rotor; the Powell process involves forcing the molten - material through rotors revolving rapidly. After the blowchamber, the mineral wool may then be granulated and packaged for shipment or conveyored to an oven for curing which adds structural rigidity to the insulation. After curing, the mineral wool is then transferred to a cooler, where blowers force air at ambient temperatures through the wool blanket (the curing oven and cooler may not be present at all mineral wool manufacturing facilities). The cured and cooled fiber blanket may then be cut into batts and covered with a vapor barrier of treated paper or foil. The major source of emissions in mineral wool manufacturing is the cupola or furnace stack. Its discharge consists primarily of condensed fumes and particulate matter that have volatilized from molten charge and gases such as SOz, NO,, CO, and fluorides. Minor sources of particulate emissions include the blowchamber, curing oven, and cooler. Sources of VOC emissions include the blowchamber, curing oven and cooler. Other sources of NO, include the curing oven.