safety concern regarding spray foam insulation
I contracted a company to install new insulation in the attic and crawl space of my home. I hired a local company, and due to ignorance and inexperience on my part I didn’t ask questions regarding the product they would use. They removed the existing fiber glass insulation from my house, and I assumed they’d replace it with a similar product. The installation occurred last Friday 10/5. My attic ceiling, walls, and windows were covered with spray foam insulation. It is now an unvented attic. The crawl space was also sprayed. I wasn’t given any information/ brochure about the product beforehand. The odor was extremely concerning to me, and I did my research unfortunately after the fact regarding spray foam insulation. I went to several sites including green building advisor and the EPA. I learned about the toxic nature of the components, and that at a minimum we should not have been home during the spraying and for several hours afterwards. I have also read about off gassing. I am concerned about exposure my family and I have had so far (since we were home during the spraying process and immediately following it), and the risk of continued exposure. I am seriously considering having the spray foam removed.
Do you have any advice regarding the safety track of spray foam insulation?
Would it be prudent of me to remove it? Or now that it’s in place is it ok to keep it?
Does the installer have any obligations to disclose the product safety concerns, and to advise on measures to minimize exposure during and after installation or does it fall on me to ask those questions before allowing them to proceed?
Replies
I'm not sure what's weirder -- you not asking what would be installed or him not saying.
I couldn't agree more
I am kicking myself for having been so naive. I usually research anything I'm about to purchase, especially household products. I can't explain how I got myself in this position! Sheer ignorance is all I can attribute this to. I simply assumed the insulation used would be what I am used to seeing at DIY stores. Spray foam inusulation was never a topic of conversation anywhere that I can remember ever. I really didn't know it was an option. I chose the company based on a recommendation and trusted them because of it. It never crossed my mind to ask what type of insulation they would use. Live and learn and this time the very hard way.... What a nightmare!
While you probably shouldn't have been home when the foam was sprayed, that boat has sailed. There are many spray foam installations out there, and few reports of health problems with properly mixed chemicals. I'm planning to use it in my own addition. Personally, there's no way I'd consider removing installed foam.
The deed is done
Hi Andy,
you're right, the deed is done. I just feel stupid and irresponsible for having placed my children at risk, especially since it could have been prevented had I known what to expect. Thanks for your comment.
mcgaritya
Sorry if you had trouble posting your replies to Andy-you should have no more problems.
If you search the internet for info on tap water, air or ivory soap, you will find out it is killing people by the millions and you should stop using all of them entirely. If, by nature, you tend towards paranoia, excessive worrying and hypochodria, you should probably just stay off the internet.
cuss
Having a bad day?
Spray foam is magnitues more expensive than batts. I'd think the sticker shock from the bill would be far worse then the smell. Are oyu sure, and I'm not being insulting, that you got foam and not wet sprayed cellulose?
The product is open cell spray foam insulation with a hefty sticker price!
another question to ask them...
Find out if the insulation they sprayed was open- or closed-cell foam.
Closed has about twice the R-value per inch of open, and if open-cell, you might want to consider adding a barrier to prevent it from absorbing and holding moisture. Read more here:
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/green-basics/spray-foam-insulation-open-and-closed-cell
Other than that, don't fret over getting foam. Any insulation you would have chosen would emit odor for a few days after installation. Foam is the cadillac of insulations. If you like to preserve your earnings, foam will save you money during both the heating and cooling seasons. If you're an eco-freak, getting foam just allowed you to tread with a slightly softer footprint on this planet, you can sleep well knowing that you just saved a patch or two of weeds that are now growing somewhere on Earth.
Not meant as an insult, just an observation that works in your favor: In this case, ignorance (of what was being installed) is bliss.
But again if open-cell, look at the possibility of needing a vapor retarding barrier and maybe even an intumescent or flame barrier of some sort for part or all of your foam application. And for the crawl space, a rodent barrier perhaps to prevent burrowing.
The product used was open cell spray foam insulation in the attic and in the crawl space. A vapor barrier was used in the crawl space. Is there a need for one in the attic? Now I have an unvented attic. Should I look into venting the attic?
Florida raises a good question: Are you sure it's foam and not wet-sprayed cellulose? The trained eye can tell them apart at 50 paces, but if you're unfamiliar they look quite similar.