Can you touch insulation with your bare hands?

You can touch insulation with your bare hands, but you should not make a habit of it without protection, and the risk depends on the type of insulation. For modern fiberglass insulation like Owens Corning Pink Next Gen or Johns Manville formaldehyde-free batts, touching it briefly with bare hands will not cause a chemical burn or serious injury, but the tiny glass fibers will cause skin irritation, itching, redness, and micro-abrasions. Some people develop a rash that lasts for hours. Blown-in fiberglass and mineral wool like Rockwool are similar, with mineral wool being even more itchy. Cellulose insulation made from recycled newspaper treated with borate is less irritating to skin but will dry out your hands and can irritate eyes. Spray foam, especially uncured spray foam, is the one you should never touch with bare hands because the chemicals can cause chemical burns and allergic sensitization. After fiberglass is installed and enclosed behind drywall, touching the drywall is completely safe. If you must handle fiberglass batts with bare hands for a quick adjustment, wash your hands with cold water first to close pores, then with mild soap, and avoid scratching. For any extended work, wear long sleeves, gloves, safety glasses, and an N95 mask to protect your skin, eyes, and lungs from airborne fibers.