Technical SpecificationsDescription
Ecomab® is a man-made mineral fibre. It was invented in 1992 as a result of work into the development of fibres with higher solubility in tests with simulated lung fluid (Gambols Solution). Initial lab tests (1) indicated that the solubility of Ecomab® compared very favourably against other commercially available man made mineral fibres and was over a thousand times more soluble than Crocidolite Asbestos. Independent solubility studies of both Refractory Ceramic Fibre and Ecomab® have been recently completed at the university of Aachen (2) and these also showed the solubility of Ecomab® to be much greater than that of RCF. The dissolution rates were monitored for various fibres in continuous flow experiments with solution pH values of 7.4 (1) and 8.0(2) with the following results
Fibre Type | Dissolution Rate |
| Slagwool (1) | 296 ng/cm² hr |
| Ecomab (2) | 294 ng/cm² hr |
| Fibreglass A (1) | 292 ng/cm² hr |
| Ecomab (1) | 255 ng/cm² hr |
| Fibreglass B (1) | 81 ng/cm² hr |
| Rockwool (1) | 26 ng/cm² hr |
| RCF (1) | 15 ng/cm² hr |
| E-Glass (1) | 13 ng/cm² hr |
| RCF (2) | 2 ng/cm² hr |
| Crocidolite Asbestos | 0.2 ng/cm² hr |
Epidemiology
Because Ecomab® is a relatively new product, no current epidemiology studies are available. Data will be presented when available.
Toxicology
Ecomab® fibre is an amorphous glass product similar in chemistry to fibreglass or mineral wool. To date, there are no completed toxicology animal studies. When available, study results with Ecomab® fibre will be presented
However, we are aware that chronic toxicity of a fibre with similar chemistry and solubility as Ecomab® was evaluated in a life time nose-only inhalation study in animals. No fibrosis or significant increase in lung tumours were exhibited in exposed animals. In addition, similar lifetime animal studies with fibreglass have shown no irreversible effects.
Handling Advice
As with any potentially dusty, fibrous product Ecomab® should be handled carefully. In the absence of sufficient animal and epidemiological data on this specific fibre, prudence dictates that it should be treated as if such fibrous dust may be carcinogenic. Accordingly, our work practice recommendations as outlined in our MSDS should be strictly followed and workplace exposure levels kept to a minimum
Acknowledgements
(1) = Test conducted during 1994 by Dr. B. Zoitas, New York, USA
(2) = Report dated 11/01/95 by Prof. Dr. Ing. H. Förster, Aachen, Deutschland