AboutJames Hermann Expertise Jim Hermann is a Technical, Safety, and Environmental Manager with strong background in chemistry, process safety, environmental regulations, and personal computers. Jim has over 20 years of experience in environmental, process, and analytical chemistry with last ten years in safety and regulatory management.
Experience Safety and Regulatory Manager: Responsible for regulatory affairs for five resin plants. (2 years) Health, Safety and Environmental Manager:Responsible for regulatory affairs for six paint plants. (2 years) Corporate Review Manager: Evaluated and implemented environmental regulations and permit requirements for Hazardous Waste recycler. Developed specifications for computer systems to produce final reports and shipping documents. (9 years) Process Technology Manager
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager - Institute of Hazardous Materials Management B.S. Chemistry with Honors, University of Louisville, KY, 1976 Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, Physics major, 1971-1973 Hazardous Materials & Waste Train-the-Trainer Seminar, Transportation Skills Program, Inc. (TSP) Environmental Regulation Course (three days), Executive Enterprises, Inc. Hazardous Waste Management Under RCRA Seminar (two days), Environmental Resource Center H
Current expertise in Safety, Environmental, and Product Regulatory Affairs, including Process Safety Management, Air Permitting, Incident Investigation, Material Safety Data Sheets, and chemical registration in US and Canada.
Expert: James Hermann Date: 1/27/2008 Subject: Fiberglass and cancer
Question Hi, I was hoping maybe you could help me with this..My husband just installed a new dishwasher today. Actually its his parents old dishwasher. Anyway, it has fiberglass insulation that you just put over the top and sides of the dishwasher. Our old one didnt have any type of insulation. Anyway, from what Ive read, inhaling any kind of fiberglass is not good for you and could possibly cause cancer. The thing that worries me is that there are some tears in the plastic covering of the fiberglass and also it originally came with holes through the fiberglass and plastic to attach to the little wheels on the side of the dishwasher..We have just ordered a new fiberglass insulation but it will probably still have 2 holes in it.. Anyway, should I be concerned about fiberglass escaping and getting on our dishes or in the air? Also, I am 18 weeks pregnant right now, so of course that makes me a little more worried. I appreciate any advice you can give me!
Jen
Answer Jennifer,
The new fiberglass insulation will not allow any significant amount of fiberglass to escape. The hazard of fiberglass comes from the fact that it can form tiny fibers that irritate the lung. New fiberglass is less likely to form tiny fibers than old fiberglass. Either way, the fiberglass insulation will not release fibers into the air.
