Asbestos and fiberglass are very different materials, despite fiberglass being called the “man-made fiberglass”. Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral, while fiberglass is a hard plastic reinforced with glass fibers. Asbestos is a naturally occurring material but fiberglass is man-made.
Both are fibrous and cause adverse side effects when in contact with them. However, asbestos is deadly, while fiberglass only causes mild and temporary symptoms. Chronic asbestos exposure can cause asbestosis, cancers, pleuritis, among other conditions. Fiberglass exposure causes skin, eye, nose, mouth, and throat irritation.