Ecological aspects of mineral wool

22. Is mineral wool a health jeopardy?
23. Does the production of mineral wool contaminate the environment?
24. Is there a sustainable environment protection by use of mineral wool?
25. Does insulating with mineral wool save heating costs and can the emission of harmful substances as well be lowered?
26. Can a low energy building standard be reached by using mineral wool?
27. Can mineral wool be recycled and used again?
28. How and where are old mineral wool products disposed of?
29. Should special protective measures be taken up in case of extension or renovation?

22. Is mineral wool a health jeopardy?

No, the new mineral wool products with the RAL quality mark have to be processed physically safe. You may get valuable professional advice free of charge for the work with mineral wool products at the Internet under ww.ral-mineralwolle.de.

23. Does the production of mineral wool contaminate the environment?

Emissions which are released at the production of mineral wool consist mainly of CO2, steam and air. Organic and inorganic combinations such as embroidering nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, ammonia and dust are only contained in such little quantity that they practically do not have an effect on the environment. The legal limitations of the Air Technical Instructions (Technische Anleitung Luft - TA-Luft) are by far not reached. Water for the production of mineral wool is led in closed circuits, then cleaned up and reconditioned again without any production of sewage.

24. Is there a sustainable environment protection by use of mineral wool?

The use of mineral wool as thermal protection ensures that energy for heating in winter as well as for cooling in summer is reduced. Consequently, the need for heating or cooling energy can considerably be lowered, reducing the use of primary energy and the emission of harmful substances.

25. Does insulating with mineral wool save heating costs and can the emission of harmful substances as well be lowered?

Yes, because mineral wool reduces the need for heating energy by its warmth keeping qualities and prevents that warmth escapes through the walls and roofs to the outside. This leads to a lowered of primary energy, the emission of harmful substances is also reduced and the environment sustainable protected.

26. Can a low energy building standard be reached by using mineral wool?

Yes, the requirements of the low energy building standard lie at least 30 per cent higher compared with the requested standard of the 3rd German Thermal Protection Ordinance (Wärmeschutzverordnung - WSVO of 1995) and therefore meet the energy saving requirements of the German Energy Saving Ordinance (Energieeinsparverordnung - EnEV). The low energy building standard demands a very good thermal protection of the external components and the reduction of heat losses through warmth bridges, asking for a compact and air tight shell around the building and for modern installations (heating and hot-water) with high energy efficiency. Mineral wool products can be used in almost all building applications in high thickness and fulfil the requirements of the EnEV and the low energy building standard.

27. Can mineral wool be recycled and used again?

Yes, mineral wool with the RAL quality mark can in principle be recycled and utilized again. For example production waste can be supplied again to the production process of the mineral wool and will be reutilised to new mineral wool. Waste can be used as additive at the production of bricks and tiles.

28. How and where are old mineral wool products disposed of?

Mineral wool can be disposed of like any other building rubble. The regulations of single individual operators or regional specifications have yet to be taken into account if necessary.

29. Should special protective measures be taken up in case of extension or renovation?

Mineral wool with the RAL quality mark "product made of mineral wool" can be processed safely from the view point of health hazard and does not release any pollutants. Loosely fitting working clothes and gloves should be worn during the application of mineral wool and any dust release should be kept as limited as possible. For the handling of the mineral wool of unknown origin there is an instruction manual (Handlungsanleitung: Umgang mit Mineralwolle-Dämmstoffen), issued among others by the building trade cooperation BG Bau www.gisbau.de). A download is also available at www.ral-mineralwolle.de.