When it comes to installing insulation, safety should always be your number one priority. To protect yourself from skin irritation, it is recommended to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, gloves, and a head cover. Depending on the situation, you may also need eye and respiratory protection. The best way to protect yourself is to use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a dust mask or respirator, safety glasses, work gloves, and clothing that covers all parts of the body. If you experience itching, burning, or sharp pain on a part of your skin that has been exposed to fiberglass insulation, do not attempt to scrub it.
Doing so will only worsen the symptoms as the fiberglass will penetrate deeper into the skin. Instead, rinse it with cool water at low pressure. The pain and itching may not go away immediately, so don't be alarmed if they persist. It is best to keep the material in its packaged form until you are ready to install it. Once opened, the insulation can expand up to 1,000%, which can cause fiberglass dust to enter the circulation.
To minimize dust generation, avoid using compressed air when cleaning. The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) and its members are dedicated to protecting the health and safety of consumers, employees, and workers who manufacture and install fiberglass, rockwool, and slag wool insulation products.
