Glass wool got on the skin and eyes: what to do, how to clean it, burns, harm and danger - Setafi

There is only one reliable way to remove glass wool from the skin - get under a cold shower and thoroughly rinse the affected area with a large volume of water. At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to touch it, especially comb it, use soap, a washcloth and even a soft sponge. The first aid measures in different cases are described in detail in the presented article.

Why is glass wool dangerous?

It is important to understand how dangerous glass wool is in order to prevent it from getting on the skin and even more so in the eyes. The main disadvantages of this artificial material come down to 2 points:

1. Fibers can break up into thousands of small particles, including those invisible to the eye. These particles are dangerous in any contact, including with the skin, mucous membranes of the eyes, throat, nose, especially when ingested. They cause irritation, inflammation and allergic reactions.
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2. The harm of glass wool to health is also associated with the presence of phenols and formaldehyde in the composition. These substances are often (though not always) used in production because they are a binder. Both compounds are poisonous, so if they enter the stomach, even in small quantities, they can lead to poisoning.

Therefore, you need to understand how to get rid of glass wool, and generally avoid contact with the skin. To do this, it is advisable to work in tight gloves, use a mask and goggles.

At the same time, experts note that modern glass wool is much safer, since it is an elastic, soft material that does not break into small particles. Therefore, in practice, most builders neglect safety precautions. But if there is no experience, it is better to follow all the rules described, besides, they are quite simple.

If glass wool gets on the skin

If the material comes into contact with the skin, it is not as dangerous as if the glass gets into the eye. But you need to know how to act correctly so as not to aggravate the situation. To do this, it is recommended to follow these tips:

1. First of all, you should not itch, smear particles on the surface. Despite the fact that contact causes severe itching, it is better to be patient. Otherwise, small particles will penetrate directly under the skin - this is the main danger of glass wool.
2. It is necessary to immediately take off your clothes and take a cool shower (the water should be as cold as possible), and under strong pressure. It is recommended to simply stand under it without using soap, especially a washcloth, sponge, i.e. no contact with the skin.
3. It is important to understand that it is a cold shower that helps from glass wool. If you turn on hot water, the skin pores will expand, and then particles will inevitably penetrate into them.
4. After the shower is over, you can’t dry yourself either - you need to wait until the water has completely evaporated in a natural way.
5. To minimize the harm of glass wool, after drying, take another shower, also with cold water. This time you can use soap. But it is better to rub the foam not with a washcloth, but with a soft sponge. If not, just by hand.
6. In order not to get burnt with glass wool, it is better not to use clothing that has come into contact with this building material. It is very difficult to wash it off - individual particles will still remain, so it is better not to risk it.
7. But if you feel sorry for the clothes, you can first vacuum them thoroughly, and then wash them several times separately from other things. And at first it is desirable to do it manually (for example, 3 times), after which - in a washing machine (2 times). After the clothes are completely dry, they are vacuumed again at maximum power. If that doesn't work, you can try taking it to the dry cleaners.

If glass wool gets into your eyes

When glass wool gets into the eye, you need to stop work immediately and proceed as follows:

1. Do not rub your eyes with your hands and do not contact them at all.
2. Rinse immediately with plenty of running water. It is best to use a shower to provide moderate pressure. If this is not possible, you can wash by hand or make an eye cup (a small container filled with water). You can also put a hose on the faucet and direct the jet directly into the eye, while providing an average force of pressure.
3. It's good to know what to do if you get glass wool in your eye, and what you definitely shouldn't do. It is strictly forbidden to use detergents, wipe your eyes with your fingers until the symptoms are completely eliminated.
4. If the eyes begin to turn red, you should drip drops of "Tsipromed" or use gels ("Solcoseryl", "Korneregel").
5. If symptoms of irritation, redness, and inflammation persist within a few hours, seek medical attention. It is clear why glass wool is harmful - it contains toxic substances and small particles that can simply scratch the eye and lead to partial cell death.

If cotton wool gets into the mouth, respiratory organs, stomach

It is necessary to figure out what to do if glass wool gets into the eyes, as well as other mucous membranes. Often it gets into the mouth - then the following actions should be taken immediately:

1. Rinse the mouth with plenty of clean water, preventing it from being swallowed (the head is not thrown back, they stand in an inclination to immediately spit out the liquid).
2. After several such cycles, drink 1-2 glasses of water.
3. Then within 20-30 minutes do not take water and food.
4. Carefully monitor your well-being, in case of deterioration, consult a doctor.

If glass wool fragments are accidentally inhaled, the first sign will be an incessant, severe cough, which may even cause a headache. It is impossible to cure this at home, and waiting for the cough to pass by itself is risky. Therefore, it is worth consulting a doctor, especially in cases where there are problems with breathing.

Similarly, you need to do in cases where cotton wool accidentally got into the stomach. It is clear that how to remove the itch from glass wool, and to wash in the shower without outside help. But if the material enters the internal organs, it is better to immediately call an ambulance.

Now it’s clear why you can’t touch glass wool, and what is the danger of this building material. Modern compositions are more elastic and practically do not crumble, but this possibility cannot be completely ruled out. Therefore, it is worth working very carefully, using protective equipment, and in the event of an emergency, immediately provide first aid.