Skip to main content
Mobile
  • Finance, Accounting & Economics
  • Global Business Management
  • Management, Leadership & Organisation
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Strategy
  • Technology & Operations
HS Talks HS Talks
Subjects  
Search
  • Notifications
    Notifications

    No current notifications.

  • User
    Welcome Guest
    You have Limited Access The Business & Management Collection
    Login
    Get Assistance
    Login
    Forgot your password?
    Login via your organisation
    Login via Organisation
    Get Assistance
Finance, Accounting & Economics
Global Business Management
Management, Leadership & Organisation
Marketing & Sales
Strategy
Technology & Operations
You currently don't have access to this journal. Request access now.
Practice paper

Machine-made mineral fibres: Their use, benefits and risks

Trevor Rushton
Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, 1 (2), 114-122 (2012)
https://doi.org/10.69554/UNSI1529

Abstract

According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, machine-made mineral fibres (MMMF) are one of the top ten emerging health risks for workers within the EU. Worries over the possible health effects of MMMF are not new, although studies have generally failed to establish a link between cancer in humans and MMMF insulation other than in the case of refractory ceramic fibres and special purpose fibres that tend to be of smaller diameter than the materials commonly used within buildings. However, the picture is clouded owing to the use of different additives aimed at reducing biopersistence, which, in turn, makes the collection of reliable data from epidemiological studies difficult and sometimes unreliable. Given the move to greater insulation levels and reduced air leakage from buildings, more attention needs to be paid to indoor air quality and the possible contribution that insulation materials may play in this. MMMF, if used correctly, has a valuable role to play, but only with proper consideration of moisture management in a building. While MMMF uses a high proportion of recycled material in its manufacture, the opportunities for recycling used materials are less certain and may be problematic. Provided suitable measures are taken to reduce dust and prevent skin contact during installation and disposal operations, there are no significant risks to occupiers of buildings insulated with MMMF. Sensible precautions are however essential to limit the inhalation of respirable fibres.

Keywords: mineral fibre insulation; MMMF; carcinogen; indoor air quality

The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.

Already a subscriber? Login or review other options.

Author's Biography

Trevor Rushton is the Technical Director of Watts Group PLC and has over 25 years’ experience as a chartered building surveyor, with particular expertise in building and material defects. He is a prolific writer, author and speaker on technical topics and is the editor-in-chief of the Watts Pocket Handbook. Trevor serves on the editorial boards of isurv and the Building Surveying Journal and is a regular contributor to the CPD Foundation and to RICS events. He is also an external examiner for Kingston University.

Citation

Rushton, Trevor (2012, July 1). Machine-made mineral fibres: Their use, benefits and risks. In the Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, Volume 1, Issue 2. https://doi.org/10.69554/UNSI1529.

Options

  • Download PDF
  • Share this page
    Share This Article
    Messaging
    • Outlook
    • Gmail
    • Yahoo!
    • WhatsApp
    Social
    • Facebook
    • X
    • LinkedIn
    • VKontakte
    Permalink
cover image, Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation
Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation
Volume 1 / Issue 2
© Henry Stewart
Publications LLP

The Business & Management Collection

  • ISSN: 2059-7177
  • Contact Us
  • Request Free Trial
  • Recommend to Your Librarian
  • Subscription Information
  • Match Content
  • Share This Collection
  • Embed Options
  • View Quick Start Guide
  • Accessibility

Categories

  • Finance, Accounting & Economics
  • Global Business Management
  • Management, Leadership & Organisation
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Strategy
  • Technology & Operations

Librarian Information

  • General Information
  • MARC Records
  • Discovery Services
  • Onsite & Offsite Access
  • Federated (Shibboleth) Access
  • Usage Statistics
  • Promotional Materials
  • Testimonials

About Us

  • About HSTalks
  • Editors
  • Contact Information
  • About the Journals

HSTalks Home

Follow Us On:

HS Talks
  • Site Requirements
  • Copyright & Permissions
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
© Copyright Henry Stewart Talks Ltd

Personal Account Required

To use this function, you need to be signed in with a personal account.

If you already have a personal account, please login here.

Otherwise you may sign up now for a personal account.

HS Talks

Cookies and Privacy

We use cookies, and similar tools, to improve the way this site functions, to track browsing patterns and enable marketing. For more information read our cookie policy and privacy policy.

Cookie Settings

How Cookies Are Used

Cookies are of the following types:

  • Essential to make the site function.
  • Used to analyse and improve visitor experience.

For more information see our Cookie Policy.

Some types of cookies can be disabled by you but doing so may adversely affect functionality. Please see below:

(always on)

If you block these cookies or set alerts in your browser parts of the website will not work.

Cookies that provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. If not allowed functionality may be impaired.

Cookies that count and track visits and on website activity enabling us to organise the website to optimise the experience of users. They may be blocked without immediate adverse effect.