Oops! Inhaled Insulation...now I feel sick?!
Question: I was installing new insulation in my attic without a mask on. I quickly realized I needed a mask and came down from the attic to get one. I resumed installing the rolled insulation with gloves, eye protection, and a mask. However, it's been one day and I feel like I have a chest cold. I believe it may be from the first exposure to the old insulation. Will this go away or do I need to see a doctor for treatment?
Answers: I was installing new insulation in my attic without a mask on. I quickly realized I needed a mask and came down from the attic to get one. I resumed installing the rolled insulation with gloves, eye protection, and a mask. However, it's been one day and I feel like I have a chest cold. I believe it may be from the first exposure to the old insulation. Will this go away or do I need to see a doctor for treatment?
I'm glad you grabbed the gloves, eye protection and mask, even if you were a little late!
Most of the time inhaling a little bit of the fiber glass from insulation will result in an mechanical irritation of the lungs. It usually subsides on it's own shortly.
However, if you have any difficulty breathing or unusual symptoms such as coughing up blood, you should seek medical attention immediately. I'd also see a doctor if you still don't feel right in a day or two, or if there's any chance that old insulation had asbestos in it.
I'm not an expert, but I suggest you go see a doctor. Old insulation can contain asbestos. If it's damp, it could contain black mould. If there have been mice, it could contain Hanta virus. In short, it could contain lots of very nasty things that are very bad for you.
I would definitely see a doc to be on the safe side!
Does fiber glass cause cancer in people?
No. The International Agency for Cancer Research recently removed fiber glass from its list of possible carcinogens, based on its review of more than 15 years of research. Research conducted over the past 70 years shows that exposure levels are low, and that, even if inhaled into the lung, most fibers disappear quickly with no adverse health effects.
eeh, ull live... unless you die
Hi!
I found information for you regarding the effects of exposure to insulation on the National Institute of Health Web site.
Treat the symptoms as you would with any other upper respiratory irritation such as the effects of a cold. It does not sound like you exposed yourself to the insulation for a long period of time such as days.
No harm in contacting your physician's office and explain your symptoms in case your doctor wants to see you.
Hope you feel better!