Mineral wool is the collective noun covering ALL wool made of Minerals INCLUDING fiberglass.
International Associations
A lot of literature is to be found via the following sites, including all member manufacturers which cover probably all ever mentioned in Acoustics related groups.
- NAIMA
NAIMA is a trade association of North American (United States, Canada and Mexico) manufacturers of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products. NAIMA members manufacture the vast majority of fiber glass, rock and slag wool insulations produced and used in North America.
http://www.naima.org/pages/about/overview/overview.html - EURIMA
EURIMA is the European Association of Insulation Manufacturers and represents the interests of all major mineral wool producers throughout Europe.
http://www.eurima.org/index_en.cfm
In the above association links much more is referred to.
This are just some important overviews.
- http://www.eurima.org/using_mineral_woo ... pects.html
- http://www.naima.org/pages/benefits/hsp ... liter.html
- Health and Safety Facts for Rock and Slag Wool
http://www.naima.org/pages/resources/li ... /N041.HTML - Health and Safety Facts for Fiber Glass
http://www.naima.org/pages/resources/li ... /N040.HTML - Exposing the Myths of Fiberglass • Related sticky entered by Rod Gervais at RO
http://www.recording.org/ftopict-21013.html - American Lung Accosiation: Facts About Fiberglass
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35439 - Rockwool: MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
http://www.ais-group.com.au/homeinsulat ... olmsds.htm
- To make a long story short:
- In Germany (Europe) while the whole world was still working hard to remove any remaining traces of ASBESTOS fiber with it's worldwide recognized cancerogene health risk (function of micro-fibers), studies were published showing somehow a similar behavior for mineral wool fiber.
This fear spread fast all over the world.
It even caused huge international companies to invest in R&D for alternative insulation products, preparing to take a market share.
It's clear that a multi billion dollar business is involved.
While this could hurt the mineral wool manufacturing world (+ enormous costs in renovation of existing applications) it should give a boost to the existing foam insulation world, and opening alternatives for new products.
As such the assumption that related studies could or should be influenced by lobbying in function of specific target industries must be seen in the context that comparable contradicting interests are/were involved.
One can as valid assume that this fear for mineral wool fiber was very supportive for e.g. the foam insulation manufacturing industry.
The lack of mineral fiber in alternative products is still often used as related marketing argument.
A lot of independent related health risk studies since then are executed all over the world.
The general conclusion was and still is that those assumed risks are not substantiated.
Some people can be allergic to mineral wool, which mainly shows when working with it.
It can be advisable to take some preventive measures during mounting or handling activities.
No long term health effects related to Mineral Wool (fiberglass, rock or slag wool) are known.
A problem which can occur with mineral wool is more from a technical nature:
The raw materials mineral wools are made off can cause the fibers to act as grinding powder on rotating parts, thereby increasing abrasion.
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY (Worldwide)
Fiberglass, Rock (Stone), and Slag Wool Manufacturers
This is most probably the most complete list of mineral wool producers in existence.
It does NOT include links, but otherwise complete co-ordinates.
http://www.eurima.org/downloads/Interna ... ectory.pdf
Where to buy:
Some general links:
- General information:
Note that in acoustics lists the brand and type name OC 703 and OC 705 are mostly used as a notion representing a concept.
Alternative brands and types of mineral wool (fiberglass, rock wool, slag wool) or even NON-mineral wool [cotton, whatever) are or can be equally valid alternatives.
While very good materials the notion OC 703/705 etc. are not specifically mentioned for their superior properties over other brands and types, but because these are very well known fiberglass boards in the US.
A common question in Acoustics groups is: WHERE can I find OC 703? The logical answer is: If OC 703 isn't regionally easy accessible, just look for those types of mineral wool which are. Also local price and accessibility for small quantities should be taken into account. - http://www.insulationworld.com/
- http://www.spi-co.com/servicecenterdirectory.mv
- Finding Owens Corning's OC 703 (a question one find hundreds of times in studio groups)
United States suppliers:
http://www.owenscorning.com/around/locator/index.asp
Worldwide suppliers:
http://www.owenscorning.com/acquainted/where/# - To compare with absorption values of other brands and types of material a good place to start is Bob Golds' pages:
http://www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm
Some by Bob collected insulation contractors/suppliers:
http://www.bobgolds.com/InsulationContractors.htm