Further studies in cutaneous reactions to glass fibers.

Abstract

In a controlled double-blind study, young adult subjects wore underclothing which had been laundered with glass fiber fabrics made from libers of three different diameters. The under-clothing and washer rinsings were analyzed for the presence of glass fiber lint Glass fiber lint was found in every sample tested. The same subjects were exposed repeatedly to glass fibers and fabrics by means of rubbing experiments, patch tests, and direct wearing tests. Only the coarsest fibers caused any significant cutaneous reaction. The reactions were mild, transitory, and interpreted as being mechanical in nature. No sensitization to glass fibers was noted. From these studies, it would appear that glass fibers less than 18.0 × 10-5 inches in diameter do not irritate human skin either as fabric or lint but that glass fibers of a magnitude greater than 21 × 10-5 inches will likely cause mechanical irritation of the skin.