Superior Fibers SmartMedia is designed where usage calls for larger fiber diameters. As a result, because of these larger diameters, Superior’s glass fibers are nonrespirable – that is, they cannot make their way into the small airways of the lower respiratory tract.

Moreover, we manufacture continuous glass fibers 18 microns and above – not microfiberglass. There’s a world of difference. Microfiberglass is produced by the blown process which is capable of producing respirable fibers 3.5 microns and below, whereas manufacturing glass fibers is a continuous process, in which it’s not possible to produce small, respirable-sized fibers.

Superior Fibers SmartMedia can be manufactured in a range of diameters, from 18 microns to 50 microns – far beyond the size of anything that would be considered respirable.

Environmental Protection Agency Report

The EPA advises that “man-made and naturally occurring fibers with diameters less than 3.5 micrometers that can enter the small airways of the lower respiratory tract… can present significant health concerns.” *

Superior fibers are well beyond diameters of 3.5 micrometers. Simply put, we don’t make respirable fibers.

* EPA Office of Pollution Prevention; Respirable Fibers