US EPA

1358363 

Journal Article 

Rock Wool in Relation to Health 

Fairhall, LT; Webster, SH; Bennett, GA 

1935 

Yes 

Journal of Industrial Hygiene
ISSN: 0095-9022 

NIOSH/00129156 

17 

6 

263-275 

The toxic effects of short term exposure to rock wool by laboratory cats were investigated. Three studies were performed. In the first study, a group of cats were exposed to air passed over the rock wool at room temperature. The second group of cats were exposed to air passed through the rock wool when the air had been heated to between 67 to 82 degrees-C. The third group was exposed to the rock wool in the same way as the first group, but in addition, was dusted with finely ground rock wool for 1 hour daily. All groups were exposed for 2 months, after which the cats were sacrificed and tissues examined histopathologically and spectrographically. No gross clinical effects were seen in any of the cats that could be attributed to rock wool exposure. No histopathological abnormalities were seen in the liver and kidneys of any animal. Lung tissue was also normal except in the dusted animals where the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveolar ducts contained large amounts of particles of silicate. There was no evidence of widespread irritation. Spectrographic analysis revealed trace amounts of arsenic (7440382), lead (7439921), and cadmium (7440439). The authors conclude that there is no hazard with exposure to rock wool of the type investigated. 

DCN-120843; Animal studies; Biological effects; Pathogenesis; Physiological response; Exposure levels; Toxic effects; Histology; Biological factors; Health hazards