The main potential health risks from inhalation exposure to 1260°C ceramic fiber paper include:
Respiratory tract irritation
Breathing in ceramic fiber dust can irritate the nose, throat and lungs, causing coughing or shortness of breath.
Potential asthma development
Repeated excessive exposures have been associated with asthma in some occupational studies.
Possible cancer risk
Prolonged heavy exposures were classified as “possibly carcinogenic” based on animal inhalation tests showing rare lung tumors.
Pulmonary fibrosis
In extreme scenarios, scarring of the deep lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) was observed in lifetime animal fiber inhalation testing.
Eye and skin irritation
Airborne fibers deposited in the eyes or on skin can potentially cause itching, redness.
Gastrointestinal tract irritation
Ingesting fiber-contaminated items presents a minor risk of temporary stomach upset.
Proper protective equipment like respirators and protective gear, along with safe handling practices to control exposures, are necessary when working with ceramic fiber materials. Risks are generally only seen after significant long-term occupational exposures and resolve when exposure ends. However, minimizing intake is still advised as a precautionary measure.