Editing Mineral wool (section)

== Safety of material ==
[[File:Rockwool close up 3.jpg|thumb|left|Mineral wool under microscope]]

The [[International Agency for Research on Cancer]] (IARC) reviewed the [[carcinogenicity]] of man-made mineral fibers in October 2002.<ref>[http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol81/index.php IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 81 (2002), Man-made Vitreous Fibres] (PLEASE NOTE: Some manufacturers of insulation products{{Who|date=December 2011}} have cited this volume while making erroneous claims that "IARC scientists confirm safety of mineral wool insulation". These claims are just false. The findings in this volume are not a determination of non-carcinogenicity or overall safety.)</ref> The IARC Monograph's working group concluded only the more [[biopersistent]] materials remain classified by IARC as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" ([[List of IARC Group 2B carcinogens|Group 2B]]). These include refractory ceramic fibers, which are used industrially as insulation in high-temperature environments such as [[blast furnace]]s, and certain special-purpose [[glass wool]]s not used as insulating materials. In contrast, the more commonly used vitreous fiber wools produced since 2000, including insulation glass wool, stone wool, and slag wool, are considered "not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans" ([[List of IARC Group 3 carcinogens|Group 3]]).

High bio soluble fibers are produced that do not cause damage to the human cell. These newer materials have been tested for carcinogenicity and most are found to be noncarcinogenic. IARC elected not to make an overall evaluation of the newly developed fibers designed to be less bio persistent such as the alkaline earth silicate or high-alumina, low-silica wools. This decision was made in part because no human data were available, although such fibers that have been tested appear to have low carcinogenic potential in experimental animals, and because the Working Group had difficulty in categorizing these fibers into meaningful groups based on chemical composition.<ref>[http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol81/mono81.pdf IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 81 (2002), Man-made Vitreous Fibres], Overall evaluation, p. 339</ref>

The European Regulation (CE) n° 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures updated by the Regulation (CE) n°790/2009 does not classify mineral wool fibers as a dangerous substance if they fulfil criteria defined in its Note Q.

The European Certification Board for mineral wool products, EUCEB, certify mineral wool products made of fibers fulfilling Note Q ensuring that they have a low bio persistence and so that they are quickly removed from the lung. The certification is based on independent experts' advice and regular control of the chemical composition.

Due to the mechanical effect of fibers, mineral wool products may cause temporary skin itching. To diminish this and to avoid unnecessary exposure to mineral wool dust, information on good practices is available on the packaging of mineral wool products with pictograms or sentences. Safe Use Instruction Sheets similar to Safety data sheet are also available from each producer.

People can be exposed to mineral wool fibers in the workplace by breathing them in, skin contact, and eye contact. The [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]] (OSHA) has set the legal limit ([[permissible exposure limit]]) for mineral wool fiber exposure in the workplace as 15 mg/m<sup>3</sup> total exposure and 5 mg/m<sup>3</sup> respiratory exposure over an 8-hour workday. The [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH) has set a [[recommended exposure limit]] (REL) of 5 mg/m<sup>3</sup> total exposure and 3 fibers per cm<sup>3</sup> over an 8-hour workday.<ref>{{Cite web|title= CDC – NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards – Mineral wool fiber |url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0432.html |website= www.cdc.gov |access-date= 2015-11-27}}</ref>

[[Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals]] (REACH) is a European Union regulation of 18 December 2006. REACH addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment. A Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF) has been set up for several types of mineral wool. AES, ASW and PCW have been registered before the first deadline of 1 December 2010 and can, therefore, be used on the European market.

*ASW/RCF is classified as carcinogen category 1B.
*AES is exempted from carcinogen classification based on short-term in vitro study result.
*PCW wools are not classified; self-classification led to the conclusion that PCW are not hazardous.

On 13 January 2010, some of the aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibers and zirconia aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibers have been included in the candidate list of [[Substances of Very High Concern]]. In response to concerns raised with the definition and the dossier two additional dossiers were posted on the ECHA website for consultation and resulted in two additional entries on the candidate list. This actual (having four entries for one substance/group of substances) situation is contrary to the REACH procedure intended. Aside from this situation, concerns raised during the two consultation periods remain valid.

Regardless of the concerns raised, the inclusion of a substance in the candidate list triggers immediately the following legal obligations of manufacturers, importers and suppliers of articles containing that substance in a concentration above 0.1% (w/w):

* Notification to ECHA -REACH Regulation Art. 7
* Provision of Safety Data Sheet- REACH Regulation Art. 31.1
*Duty to communicate safe use information or responding to customer requests -REACH Regulation Art. 33

=== Crystalline silica ===

Amorphous high-temperature mineral wool (AES and ASW) is produced from a molten glass stream which is aerosolized by a jet of high-pressure air or by letting the stream impinge onto spinning wheels. The droplets are drawn into fibers; the mass of both fibers and remaining droplets cool very rapidly so that no crystalline phases may form.

When amorphous high-temperature mineral wool is installed and used in high-temperature applications such as industrial furnaces, at least one face may be exposed to conditions causing the fibers to partially devitrify. Depending on the chemical composition of the glassy fiber and the time and temperature to which the materials are exposed, different stable crystalline phases may form.

In after-use high-temperature mineral wool [[crystalline silica]] crystals are embedded in a matrix composed of other crystals and glasses. Experimental results on the biological activity of after-use high-temperature mineral wool have not demonstrated any hazardous activity that could be related to any form of silica they may contain.