ReviewAssessment of health implications related to processing and use of natural wool insulation products

- Available exposure studies for wool textile mills leads to overgeneralization.
- A major risk of organic dust is secondary explosions, although rare for wool.
- Research is needed to confirm if fibers/dust to endotoxins reduces cancer risk.
- Health effects of synthetic fiber are small, but studies are contradictive at times.

This paper discusses possible health implications related to dust particles released during the manufacture of sheep's wool-based non-woven insulation material. Such insulation may replace traditional synthetic insulation products used in roofs, wall cavities, etc. A review of the literature concerning organic dusts in general and sheep's wool fiber summarizes dust exposure patterns, toxicological pathways and the hazards imposed by inhalation and explosion risk. This paper highlights a need for more research in order to refrain from overgeneralizing potential pulmonary and carcinogenic risks across the industries. Variables existing between industries such as the use of different wool types, processes, and additives are shown to have varying health effects. Within the final section of the paper, the health issues raised are compared with those that have been extensively documented for the rock and glass wool industries.