Is Urethane Insulation Safe?

Spray urethane foam is a product commonly used for insulation and air sealing in construction and renovation.  But can this product harm your health?

This topic was recently the subject of a report on CBC's "Marketplace." It presented problems experienced by homeowners after urethane foam insulation was applied in their homes.

Spray urethane foam is made of two liquid chemical agents that are combined on site during installation. The quality of the product is just as critical as the skills of the contractor who will  apply it.

In the cases presented in the report, occupants experienced discomfort and developed various health problems. In addition, unusual chemical emissions associated with a "fishy odour"  appeared in their homes.

Over the years, we have carried out thousands of expert assessments in new or renovated buildings containing urethane insulation without ever observing or being notified of this problem. We can therefore say that these situations are relatively rare. Nevertheless, certain precautions should be taken whenever chemical products are used or applied in an indoor environment to prevent such problems from occurring.

Tips for installing the product:

1. Use only products from recognized manufacturers whose origin you can verify.
2. Make sure the installer is recommended by the manufacturer, has received specific training in applying this product and complies with the installation standard (CAN/ULC-S705.2).
3. Ask the installer what warranty is offered in case of problems. Don't hesitate to put this information in writing in the contract and, above all, avoid any clause that could release the installer from liability in the event of improper application. Even the best contractors can make a mistake when applying this product. Removing it afterward can be difficult and very costly.
4. Stay out of the house for at least 24 hours after the urethane is installed.
5. Learn about the product or consider other insulation options if you have a history of respiratory or skin problems or sensitivity to volatile organic compounds.

You can watch the report broadcast on October 25, 2013, at the link below:

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episodes/2013-2014/renovation-horror-story

Links:

Association d'isolation du Québec:

http://www.isolation-aiq.ca

Canadian Urethane Foam Contractors Association:

http://www.cufca.ca/about/history_f.php

These problems are reminiscent of an earlier article we wrote about toxic drywall from China:

https://www.nivoex.com/en/2011/07/26/bonjour-tout-le-monde/

#insulation #foam #polyurethane #urethane

‍