Fiberglass
- Made from molten glass
- Very fine fibres of 1 to 3 micrometres
- Mainly used as insulation
- Can cause skin irritation
Safety
What if you touch fiberglass?
Fiberglass and rockwool are often confused. Here you can read the difference, what happens on contact with fiberglass and what to do next.
Paper Plug TraysEllepot FP 12+
The short answer
Contact with fiberglass usually causes temporary itching and redness from the fine glass fibres. Do not rub, rinse with cold water and lift the fibres off with tape. Horticultural rockwool has coarser fibres and irritates far less.
Difference between fiberglass and rockwool
Rockwool
- Made from basalt rock
- Coarser fibres, more than 5 micrometres
- Used for insulation and for growing
- Less irritating to the skin
What happens on contact with fiberglass?
Skin irritation
Itching and redness from the fine fibres.
Eye irritation
Red, watery eyes on contact.
Airway irritation
Coughing when inhaling dust.
Temporary
Symptoms disappear once the fibres are removed.
First aid after contact with fiberglass
- 1
Do not rub or scratch.
- 2
Shake out clothing outdoors.
- 3
Rinse the skin with cold water.
- 4
Lift remaining fibres off with tape.
- 5
Shower with cold water, not hot.
- 6
Rinse the eyes with water after eye contact.
Why rockwool is safer for growing
- Coarser fibres that are not respirable
- Less irritating to the skin
- Produced specifically for horticultural use
- Suitable for daily use with normal precautions
Prevention tips
- Wear gloves when handling fiberglass
- Use protective clothing with long sleeves
- Wear a dust mask in dusty areas
- Wash immediately after contact
- Choose rockwool for horticulture
Knowledge base
Further reading
Paper Plug Trays
Rockwool plugs for professional propagation
Our Paper Plug Trays combine rockwool with an Ellepot FP 12+ paper sleeve. Ready to plant directly, supplied by the complete box.