Man‐Made Mineral Fibers

Abstract

Concerns about the adverse health effects of exposure to asbestos have prompted widespread removal of asbestos‐containing materials, resulting in the increased use of substitutes composed of both naturally occurring and synthetic materials. Man‐made mineral fiber asbestos substitutes are mineral fibrous materials such as fibrous glass, rock wool, slag wool, and refractory (ceramic) fibers. Because of the similarity of the chemical composition and morphology of these substitute fibrous materials to those of asbestos, serious questions have been raised about their health implications. In particular, there is growing concern whether such substitutes pose a carcinogenic risk similar to that of asbestos. These health concerns are even more pronounced considering that man‐made mineral fibers (MMMF) have found wide applications in commerce, in addition to their use as asbestos substitutes in the building industry.