this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2024
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[–] [email protected] 93 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

From what I understand, asbestos is far worse. Fiberglass causes irritation but that's about it. Asbestos, while it takes its time, will eventually cause mesothelioma and you really don't want that.

[–] [email protected] 40 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Really? That's surprising. I would think inhaling a bunch of ground glass would severely damage your lungs, permanently.

[–] OldManBOMBIN 42 points 3 weeks ago

Fiberglass is very smooth compared to asbestos, at a microscopic level. That's what makes asbestos so bad - it gets in there and works its way further in, like a porcupine quill. Fiberglass is by no means healthy, but it's a fair bit less harmful.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Asbestos can get to such a fine point that it can literally physically cleave DNA. Edit: I think I am wrong about that, please see my comment below

[–] Feathercrown 11 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 29 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I may have been misinformed, actually. Looking into it further, it seems like mechanical interference in cell division was ruled out. However, it seems there is some evidence that among other things, fibers beyond a certain length cause macrophages to essentially get destroyed trying to engulf them, which contributes to chronic inflammation, which is a big risk factor in many cancers

It's a bit above my head but here is a study I found https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7082251/

[–] Feathercrown 8 points 3 weeks ago

Thanks for the study

[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah, and asbestos does that too and then gives you mega cancer in about 20 years.

[–] Sylvartas 14 points 3 weeks ago

Fiberglass probably won't feel nice and might leave some permanent scars, but iirc, asbestos will do that and then some, but with particles so small that your body can never fully get rid of it

[–] Nindelofocho 4 points 3 weeks ago

I thought fiberglass causes silicosis?