Mineral wool deadly

[juvefarmer]

I have heard rumors that mineral wool is supposedly life-threatening when heated.

At temperatures as low as 50 degrees, it is said to start releasing dangerous gases.

This is quite concerning considering that mineral wool is found throughout the house, including the stove.

 

[Snailman]

Regarding the stove, the manual states that you should burn off the oven before using it for the first time, example below:

Before using the oven for the first time, you must
burn it off. Do as follows:
Turn on top/bottom heat and maximumtemperature. The oven door should be closed.
Ventilate the kitchen. Turn off the oven when the smell and
smoke development has ceased.
Wipe the oven, door, and sides with warm
water and dishwashing detergent. Dry thoroughly.

 

[anaitis]

As the name suggests, mineral wool is made from stone.
Often it is diabase.
Try burning a stone and see if any gases come out!

 

[juvefarmer]

Why do you think you can't throw mineral wool on the bonfire?

I know it's made of stone, but there's something that binds it together. That's the dangerous part.

And try burning mineral wool boards and standing right next to it.

 

[Pasta]

Why do you think you can't throw mineral wool on the bonfire?

I know it's made of stone, but there's something binding it together. That's what's dangerous.

And you try burning mineral wool slabs and standing right next to them.

Here is Paroc's Safety Data Sheet for stone wool slabs and mats:
http://www.stenull.paroc.se/produktdat/pdf_down/SDS_Paroc_stenull.doc

"The products are chemically stable and lack reactivity. Above approximately 190 °C, the breakdown of the bakelite (the binding agent) begins. The first time stone wool products are heated to these temperatures, health-hazardous gases may develop. However, the emission is short-lived. Ensure good ventilation as long as odors are present, and avoid staying in unpleasant smoke. If necessary, use personal protective equipment, see section 8."

The reason you shouldn't throw mineral wool on the bonfire is likely because it doesn't burn and is commonly used for fire insulation.

When you burn the mineral wool slabs, what do you use?

"Melting point
Above approximately 1,000 °C, the glass in the stone wool softens and melts. There is no actual melting point."

Mineral wool is the last thing I would worry about concerning hazardous gases upon heating, much greater risk with paints, adhesives, and plastics that are used everywhere.

/Patrik

 

[juvefarmer]

I have just read an interesting document about the dangers of mineral wool from a professor who works with occupational health.

Unfortunately, I can't upload it here yet.

But trust me, something is really fishy here!

I will upload it when I can.

 

[OlaF]

It will be very interesting to read this document, even though I personally believe it's another "acrylamide alarm" where it turns out that yes, it's unhealthy with heated mineral wool if you inhale gases from the equivalent of 40kg of burnt wool per day.

But I could be wrong. This professor may be onto something big.

 

[tiggre]

I've heard rumors that mineral wool is extremely dangerous when heated.

Even at temperatures as low as 50 degrees, it is said to start releasing dangerous gases.

This is rather alarming considering that mineral wool is everywhere in the house, including the stove.

feels like the acrylamide scare...

are the gases odorless or stinky... and are they dangerous over time or is it a gas that will kill you in high concentration directly, etc...

if my mineral wool burns, I'm not going to stay in my house anyway

 

[Pasta]

When heating mineral wool, it has long been known that monoisocyanates are formed. Monoisocyanates are considered irritating to the mucous membranes in the eyes and airways but not severely toxic. Phenol-formaldehyde resin used as a binder in mineral wool requires temperatures above 190° for it to decompose and form monoisocyanates.

This can be read at the Swedish Work Environment Authority:

http://www.av.se/webbshop/pdfroot/adi_200.pdf

"Monoisocyanates are volatile liquids or gases at room temperature. The liquid releases gaseous vapors at room temperature. At higher temperatures, they are entirely gaseous. Monoisocyanates are not used in Swedish industry. They only occur as air pollutants during heating. Monoisocyanates may form when polyurethanes decompose through intense heating and also during intense heating of certain other materials and material combinations, including phenol-formaldehyde resin used as a binder in mineral wool."

"The monoisocyanates are irritating to the mucous membranes in the eyes and airways. Current research has not shown that they can cause allergies."

"If one is only exposed to monoisocyanates formed during the thermal decomposition of phenol-formaldehyde resins, only a basic examination is needed."

Alarm reports about various toxic and dangerous substances from different professors and institutes are absolutely pouring in, one more toxic than the other. These reports or rumors about reports have no significant value until the day the Swedish Work Environment Authority or the Swedish Chemicals Agency issues a report stating that it truly is harmful.

/patrik

 

[Linnex]

I haven't thought about gases, but every time I "play" with insulation and experience itching and irritation in the airways and throat, I can't help but think of asbestos and wonder how the body breaks down, for example, glass powder and how "healthy" insulation can be :S

 

[Pasta]

I haven't thought about gases, but every time I "play" with insulation and experience itching and irritation in the airways and throat, I think about asbestos and wonder how the body breaks down, for example, glass powder, and then how "healthy" insulation can be :S

Mineral wool fibers cause irritation on skin and mucous membranes but are not carcinogenic when inhaled. The difference compared to asbestos is that asbestos fibers are smaller and have a structure that makes them stick almost like barbs; the asbestos fiber then causes permanent irritation that can lead to cancer.

/Patrik

 

[jon_h]

But it's still wise to use a filter mask when handling mineral wool. It feels a bit like a given to have it, in my opinion.

 

[juvefarmer]

Fun to see what everyone thinks.

I agree that it cannot be good. I have just cleared out old insulation in my house. After the first day, I started using a mask.

I will get back to you when I can tell you more about what toxins there are.

If there was something else to insulate with that is a bit more expensive but insulates at least as well, would you choose this?

 

[jon_h]

If there was evidence that mineral wool was harmful, yes. Otherwise, I can't see any reason to choose something more expensive.

 

[Mikael_L]

If there was another insulation material that is slightly more expensive but insulates just as well, would you choose it?

If it was justified for technical reasons, e.g., it cannot become damp or is easier to put in place without gaps forming. Systems with foam plastic on the roof to avoid moldy winds are, for example, interesting, I am more afraid of mold than mineral wool when it comes to my health!

I could even consider something that was cheaper and insulated a little worse to fill the last 45mm between the vapor barrier and the inner wall panels. The space I primarily plan for electrical wiring, it's inconvenient to have mineral wool there, purely handling-wise!

As you hear, I don't feel particularly worried.

"Klintberg and the rat in the pizza"