You have to ask a lot of questions when you’re choosing an investment. Insulation is no exception. You need to know how much it will cost, what returns you’ll receive, how long it will last, and how well it will perform. As you’ve researched spray foam insulation, you may have come across claims about spray foam being unsafe. Is it true that spray foam insulation is bad for our health?
South Central Services has insulated hundreds of new and existing buildings with spray foam. How spray foam insulation impacts your health depends on how and when you interact with the product. As a person living or working in a spray-foamed building, your health should be safe.
By the end of this article, you will understand:
- What spray foam insulation is made of
- When spray foam can pose health hazards
Spray Foam Insulation Is One Of Many Polyurethane Products.
Spray polyurethane foam is a plastic foam. Plastic is everywhere in our lives. Even if we attempt to avoid it, plastic is a staple product in this day and age. The average consumer lives with a lot of plastics and plastic foams, including:
- Styrofoam takeout containers
- Plastic takeout containers
- Cutting boards
- Water bottles
- Disposable cutlery
- Grocery bags
- Shoes
- Memory foam mattresses
- Car seats
- Polyester, acrylic, or nylon clothing
Spray foam insulation is not unique in being created through chemical manufacturing. Many items used or offered in our everyday lives are also manufactured with chemicals.
If You Have Plastics In Your Life, Spray Foam Is Not An Increased Risk.
Most health-conscious individuals will advise you to avoid plastic when you can. Choose different cutting boards so microplastics do not get into your food. Opt for bamboo cutlery to prevent waste. Select clothes made of natural fabrics like cotton.
There is nothing wrong with making intentional choices to protect ourselves and the environment. However, it is quite challenging to avoid all plastics in the world we live in.
Spray foam insulation should not increase the risk of health problems as a plastic foam, especially if your lifestyle already includes many plastic products.
Spray Foam Manufacturing Without PPE Is Dangerous.
Installers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when spray foam insulation is manufactured. This PPE includes a moon suit, nitrile gloves, eye protection, and a fresh-air system. PPE is vital to the spray foam manufacturing process.
If you’ve seen videos of people flipping furniture or using spray paint, you’ve likely seen them wearing PPE. It is common knowledge that we aren’t supposed to inhale paint fumes. When chemicals are involved, we must take steps to protect ourselves.
Spray foam insulation is not alone in requiring PPE during manufacturing due to natural byproducts.
Off-Gassing Fumes Are A Temporary Byproduct Of Manufacturing.
Spray foam insulation is not the only chemically produced product that results in off-gassing. Many types of chemical manufacturing involve off-gassing. When it comes to spray foam, off-gassing is a normal and expected byproduct, which occurs in a fixed ratio to the amount of foam installed.
As spray foam insulation is installed, two chemical components (A-Side and B-Side) are atomized and mixed. Their chemical reaction creates the product of spray foam and the byproducts of off-gassing and heat. Once the spray foam has cured, these byproducts dissipate. The foam eventually cools, and it will not off-gas indefinitely.
Breathing in these off-gassing fumes without PPE could have severe repercussions on someone’s health. However, the amount of exposure needed means the people most at risk are the spray foam installers. This is why safety regulations require fresh-air systems to protect the lungs of spray foam contractors.
Stable Foam Is Not A Health Risk.
If spray foam insulation is installed in your home, you should not be at any greater risk of health conditions. As we’ve already established, spray foam will not create any unique hazards that the other plastic products in our lives are not already risking.
Stable spray foam insulation delivers long-lasting energy performance. Residents do not experience any exposure to off-gassing fumes with a stable spray foam.
Always Hire A Qualified Contractor To Deliver A Stable Foam.
It is important to note that not all spray foam insulation is installed correctly and considered a stable foam. Since spray foam insulation is made through chemical manufacturing, hiring a contractor who is educated and delivers a stable product is vital.
Foam installed as a DIY or by an unqualified contractor is more likely to be unstable. Unstable foams are considered failed products and must be removed and replaced. Failed foams can off-gas indefinitely.
Unstable spray foam could increase the risk of health problems due to the off-gassing. However, the exposure to off-gassing fumes from failed spray foam is still not as severe as what installers would face without PPE.
The Bottom Line About The Health Risks Related To Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is a plastic product. Plastic is not touted as a health-conscious material, but it is a staple material for many everyday items. Stable spray foam insulation will not increase health risks, especially for anyone already using polyurethane products.
The off-gassing byproduct during manufacturing is the most significant health risk related to spray foam insulation. When the installed foam is stable, that off-gassing only occurs during manufacturing. The installer wears appropriate PPE to protect their lungs, and the residents vacate the premises.
If the foam is unstable, off-gassing could continue indefinitely, increasing the risk for homeowners. This is why it is vital to hire a qualified spray foam contractor.
Now that you know why spray foam should not cause any health concerns, your next step is to:
- Learn whether or not spray foam is environmentally-friendly
- Discover why spray foam is a good insulator
- Evaluate if spray foam can make your home more comfortable
Disclaimer: While we strive to publish information accurate to building science, local building codes and standards supersede our recommendations.
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