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Fiberglass- Health Risk? Part 2 Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspections

By Donald Hester

Home Inspector with NCW Home Inspections, LLC

June 12, 2011 03:41 AM

Fiberglass- Health Risk? Part 2 Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspections

I know this evidence is still not concrete but indications are compelling. Here is the original blog (link)

This is from my best friend who is a PhD in Immunology and spent over 25+ years as a research director, scientific editor and leading authority on dendritic cells-

"Curious tidbit: "Nonmanufacturing occupational exposure levels for end users of glass wool products typically are higher than exposure levels in fiber-manufacturing environments."

The proposed mechanism of action makes sense. Macrophages in the lungs are responsible for engulfing the fibers and getting rid of them. The more fibers there are, the more macs involved. If the fibers are too long, the macs can't get rid of them. Important point: Macrophages are major players in inflammatory responses. Persistence of glass fibers likely causes chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is characterized by the presence of various soluble factors (including oxidizing agents), increase in levels of oncogenes, etc. In other words, conditions conducive to tumor formation. The likelihood of cancer induction depends on a variety of factors, including concentration of fibers, average length of fibers, chemical composition of fibers, compounding effects such as tobacco exposure, the additives used in the fibre manufacturing process (e.g. pheno/formaldehyde), etc.

The authors of this article are very careful to not overstate claims about possible carcinogenicity from the various animal and human studies. That's good science, but it makes it difficult for the non-expert to decide relative level of risk. On the other hand, the statement at the top provides a pretty compelling warning: "Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen." "

This is his opinion but he is very well versed in this type of immune response.

Fiberglass- Health Risk? Part 2 Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspections

NCW Home Inspections, LLC is located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more...

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Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mr Don,

I shall takes this under good considerations. I has never seen Fiberglass

Nutsy

Jun 12, 2011 04:23 AM

Donald Hester

NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA

NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Nutsy, You may have sniffing things more dangerous than fiberglass ; )

Jun 12, 2011 04:28 AM

Robert Butler

Aspect Inspection - Montreal West Island, QC

Montreal Home Inspector | Aspect Inspection

Hi Don. I've already spoken about this on your earlier blog. I won't repeat that here. The researcher that you are quoting has very deliberately phrased things in non declarative statements for a very good reason.

He's sticking his neck out. He saying "I've looked at this and this is what the results seem to suggest. What I think may be going on is....this....because...."

This is the normal language of the social system of science (and that is a whole field of sociology in itself) and this is couched that way in part to claim the credit for opening a new door of research and potential knowledge and in part to spell out all the references and parameters involved.

It is also an invitation for others to follow up, expand on it or refute the interpretation of the findings. Some times that refutation is merely a new interpretation of the observations, but it all has to be done with independent corroborative research. Over and over. It has to be repeatable.

This of course takes years. If others aren't excited and delve into it, it could take decades. In fact it often takes decades as other researchers weren't exactly sitting on their hands waiting for this paper.

All this is to say that this is a case where you really have to wait 'tll the fat lady sings'.

Jun 12, 2011 10:20 AM

Robert,

I absolutely think you have a right to your opinion and views and I think it is good to have open discussion. I have my opinion based on my own set of knowledge and circumstance as do you. I encorouge you to present the other side, it is all good.

I have done a lot characterization of potential biological health hazards in my past life. I was responsible for profiling substances that may not have enough data to make concrete definitions of the hazards involved. I am not a scientist but I would collect data from them and then put a profile together. Whether that gives me any insight, heck I do not know.

I am basing some of my assumptions on basic biological mechanisms. If you are introducing a foreign substance such as fiberglass and other such products into your lungs via repeated exposures is it most likely to have an adverse effect. I know how feel when I inhale the stuff.

My friend that I talked to and quoted is a very respected scientist and a very carefully one. Why I discuss subjects like this with him is because he has a very intimate knowledge of immune response and the mechanism involved. He been doing research on these mechanism for a very long time.

He has authored hundreds of scientific papers, has 36 biological patents and was a scientific editor for several respected scientific journals related to immunology, so his perspective is unique.

And yes I have a bit of favoritisms because he is my best friend. Full disclosure here ; )

As you state though how many "fat ladies" will it take before you are convinced? These are very complex systems and you are correct it takes time.

I want this to be an open discussion and makes all better if the debate is open.

So I thank you for taking the time to respond.

Jun 12, 2011 12:38 PM

Fiberglass- Health Risk? Part 2 Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspections

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