How do you get rid of fiberglass dust in the house
You might be shocked and frightened when you discover that your home is contaminated with fiberglass dust. Dealing with the disaster and the stress of cleaning it up might be exhausting and time-consuming. However, it can also empower you, as you will be able to take control of your environment and remove the source of your ills. In this article, you will learn how to get rid of fiberglass dust in your house.
What does fiberglass dust look like?
To get a clear picture of how fiberglass dust looks, you must first know what it is.
Fiberglass dust is a collection of remains/waste produced when fiberglass is trimmed, chopped, or even sawed. It is usually difficult to see with the naked eye.
Appearance
Even though it is difficult to detect, experts say that fiberglass dust is white and has a fluffy-like look. In some cases, it has a slight shine, especially when it is subjected to bright light.
Common places in the house where fiberglass dust can be found
Fiberglass is a flexible and cheap material. Because of this, it is found in various household products. Some of the places you can fiberglass dust in the house include;
- Windows
- Door jambs
- Bathtub
- Carpets
- Beddings
How to clean up fiberglass dust
Cleaning up fiberglass dust is not an easy task, and depending on the fiberglass source, it may be costly too. If you are not so sure about cleaning the fiberglass dust yourself, please contact a professional cleaning service that deals mainly with fiberglass dust removal. If that is the direction you want to take, it will be best to interview several firms as their experience and rates will vary.
If you decide to DIY (Do It Yourself), we have got you covered. Here are the steps you need to follow when getting rid of fiberglass dust;
- Wear protective clothing.
Some of the protective gear that should be worn include; a respirator, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, pants, and eye protection to protect yourself from dust particles.
- Locate the source of fiberglass dust
In the house setting, the fiberglass dust is most likely to originate from the air duct system or the insulation systems. You will be forced to replace the entire system if the dust is coming from the air duct system, as it will be impossible to get rid of all the fiberglass dust there.
- Remove Everything in the House.
Take everything out of the house so that you have an easy time when cleaning.
- Throw Away Items that Cannot Be Cleaned but Contain Fiberglass Dust
Remember when we said it would be expensive to clean fiberglass dust? This is one of the reasons why it is costly. You will be forced to purchase new items that are not contaminated with fiberglass dust. The things that you will be forced to throw away may include beddings, carpets, or even furniture. Make sure you seal those items you’ve thrown with a plastic bag to avoid further contamination.
- Vacuum the Entire Building with a Vacuum Cleaner
This process must be done thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner with a filter that will capture the fiberglass dust. Make sure to concentrate mainly on the areas where the dust accumulates, such as the door jambs and windows. Repeat this step severally for the best results.
- Clean the house and the items that will be moved back into the house.
You should wash the ceilings, walls, and tables thoroughly with soap and water. The items that you will move back into the house should also be cleaned.
- Refurbish the home.
Buy items that have the least toxic products. Be very careful not to purchase things like plywood and other synthetic products. Purchase and use natural fiber products if you can.
- Ventilate your newly furnished home.
You can do this the old fashioned way by just opening the windows to allow fresh air in.
How can you test for fiberglass dust in the air?
As earlier stated, seeing airborne fiberglass dust with the naked eye is close to impossible. That is why testing for fiberglass dust is usually recommended.
There are different ways to test your building or building area for fiberglass dust exposure, some of them are;
- Using a fiberglass dust test kit
These kits can be purchased online and are quite affordable. There would be instructions on how to sample the air you want to test on the package. After sampling, you would be required to send the sample to a lab. You will then receive results within 7 to 10 days. These type of kits are suitable for use by;
- Architects
- Insurance claim adjusters
- Homeowners
- Government officials
- Building maintenance supervisors
- School and plant operators
- Using a method known as phase-contrast microscopy
This is the primary method for testing fiberglass dust. PCM testing is a test that counts the fibers in the dust and compares them to 0.01 per cubic centimetre. The main disadvantage of this method is that it cannot test these fibers directly and take into account all fibers present.
What Happens if You Breathe in Fiberglass Dust?
This is a common question when it comes to tackling issues related to fiberglass dust. To answer this question properly, we need to discuss it using three key subheadings. These subheadings include;
- How bad is fiberglass dust?
- Symptoms of fiberglass dust contamination/inhalation
- What actions should I take when I think/realize I have been exposed to fiberglass dust?
How bad is fiberglass dust?
Health effects may vary from one person to another depending on the size of fibers (fiberglass dust) and also the type of exposure. There is evidence to prove that bigger fibers (fiberglass dust) cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.
Little is known about the health effects of small-sized fibers (fiberglass dust), but we know for a fact that smaller fibers (fiberglass dust) can reach the lower parts of the respiratory system, which may result in adverse health effects.
Until now, there is no evidence to prove that fiberglass dust causes cancer of any kind.
Symptoms of fiberglass dust contamination/inhalation
Below are some of the symptoms experienced when one is exposed to fiberglass dust;
- Difficulty in breathing
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Dry skin
- Sneezing
- Pressure in eyes
- Inflamed tongue
- Irritated eyes
- Irritated sinuses
- Heavy feeling in lungs
What actions should I take when I think/realize I have been exposed to fiberglass dust?
Most people do not realize that they have been exposed to fiberglass dust until after a long period, and some even find out only after they have left the place of exposure.
It is recommended that after exposure, you should take a shower and change your clothes and get as far away from the contaminated area as possible.
Conclusion
Fiberglass dust is a tricky thing to deal with, so the best thing to do is to avoid areas that are contaminated. You should also avoid purchasing products that emit fiberglass dust in the air; otherwise, it would cost you dearly in the end. Be it financially or health-wise.