Is Blown-In Insulation Safe To Breathe?

You're planning to install blown-in insulation yourself. Or, you may have blown-in insulation in your attic that you don't want to disturb. Either way, you'll need to invest in the right personal protective equipment (PPE). When interacting with blown-in insulation, is it safe to breathe? Or do you need a mask?

South Central Services has insulated hundreds of new and existing homes around Greencastle, Pennsylvania. We know well about the safety of different insulation products and what PPE is needed to stay safe.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• If blown-in insulation particles are dangerous to breathe
• What type of mask you may need to invest in

Don't have time to read right now? Check out everything you need to know at a glance.

Blown-In Insulation Is Made Of Fine Particles.

If you're concerned about blown-in insulation becoming airborne, your concern is valid. Blown-in insulation is made up of very fine particles that do become airborne.

But what exactly are these insulations made up of? The two most common types of blown-in insulation are blown-in fiberglass and blown-in cellulose. Let’s examine their materials in more detail.

Blown-In Fiberglass Particles Are Glass And Plastic.

Fiberglass insulation is made up of glass and plastic fibers. In the same way you don't want to touch fiberglass with your bare hands to avoid contact dermatitis, you do not want airborne loose-fill fiberglass particles in your lungs.

Blown-In Cellulose Particles Are Paper.

Cellulose insulation is composed of recycled paper materials, such as magazines and newspapers.

Unlike glass fibers, cellulose isn't dangerous to breathe. However, it can irritate your lungs. If you have pre-existing allergies, the dust of cellulose insulation can be obnoxious.

You Should Wear PPE When Handling Blown-In Insulation.

Our recommendation is to wear PPE when working with blown-in insulations. Besides gloves to protect your hands, you can invest in an N95-style mask. These masks should be adequate to filter out these particles, whether you have loose fill fiberglass or cellulose.

The Bottom Line About Blown-In Insulation And Respiratory Safety

Between blown-in fiberglass and blown-in cellulose, only fiberglass is especially dangerous to breathe in. However, cellulose dust is still an irritant. Glass, plastic, and dust particles are never recommended for us to breathe in. If you need to interact with loose-fill insulation, wear an N95 mask to protect your lungs.

Now that you know how to keep your lungs safe when installing blown-in insulations, your next step is to:

• Learn how long blown-in insulation lasts
• Weigh the pros and cons of blown-in cellulose
• Discover if blown-in insulation is better than batts