Fiberglass Vs Your Health Part I

As a volunteer manning the the booth for theLiterally hundreds of studies over the years point
Marine Industries Association of S. Florida duringto the fact that the microscopic shards in
the Miami Boat show this past February, I wasfiberglass dust have led to pulminary problems all
approached by a prominent figure in the marineover the world.
industry. He too is a member of the associationNumber two... For every study exposing the
and as we stood there saving the industry forhazards of fiberglas to the lungs, another study
the benefit of the world he asked for my opinionappears debunking it. I have found studies
on what he thought were serious health hazardsconnecting the fiberglass to lung diseases
relative to fiberglass within the industry. It seemslanguishing in the hands of lobbyists for years and
that he had watched more than one of hiskeeping them from being published.
associates in the field die of lung cancer. It was hisAs of 1995 the major manufacturers were
opinion that all the people who had died sharedpumping out nearly 500 million pounds of fiberglass
only the fact that they had all worked for yearsannually. The boating industry in Florida represents
in the construction and repair of fiberglass boats.billions of dollars. These are not steel boats were
He was very upset at the loss of his friends andtalking about here. Who can guess what the
since my field is fundamental fiberglass education,industry generates nationwide or world wide for
he felt that I might shed a little light on thethat matter. Economic benefits, it seems, always
subject for him. His concern touched me and Itrump the hazards to the environment and all
began my research in ernest. It has always beenthings that live within it. What a surprise.
my practice to explain the insidious effects of theSo let's use our heads, shall we? Fiberglass
many dangerous chemicals used in the FRPcomposites and all their components are
(Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) industries to myhazardous to your health and to your
students. Safety is always taught first and is theenvironment. If you disagree, that's fine too. If
theme throughout the education process. But inyou do agree and you wish to continue to
digging deeper I find that the chemicals, asparticipate in this remarkable industry (as do I),
poisonous as they are, only tend to exacerbate athen it is we, as individuals, who must take
larger underlying element: the fiberglass itself.responsibility for our own health and for the health
I found two important pieces of information that Iof this beautiful rock that we live on. A 3M N95
am compelled to pass on to my students and todust mask is about 99 cents at most supply
those who will endeavour to self educate in thehouses. Far cheaper than a new pair of lungs. The
field.EPA requires that you tent your work if you are
NUMBER ONE...Fiberglass is dangerous. It has beensanding or grinding anything on a boat, including
called "The Asbestos of the 21st Century". Thefiberglass, in any of our So. Florida boatyards. You
first connection between fiberglass fibers andand the yard risk hefty penalties if this law is not
pulmonary disease were reported by Walter J.observed. Apparently someone is worried about
Siebert, who investigated the health of workersMother Nature. But there is no law that requires
with the cooperation of Owens Corning in 1941.you to protect yourself. That's your responsibility.
An article in the NEW YORK TIMES, March 15,Now you have been duley warned. Do some
1987, is titled: "EVIDENCE GROWS ON POSSIBLEadditional research on your own and your eyes
LINK OF FIBERGLASS AND LUNG ILLNESS."will be opened further. Your health is in your
Currently, California OSHA requires that allhands.
fiberglass be labeled "Possible Carcinogenic".