Isocyanate Spray Foam Insulation

Polyurethane foam including foam rubber is sometimes made using small amounts of blowing agents to give less dense foam better cushioning energy absorption or thermal insulation.

Isocyanate spray foam insulation.

The real issue is the improper formulation and installation of large amounts of spray foam in homes and buildings by poorly trained unknowledgeable or. When it comes to the safety and toxicity of foam spray insulation the real issue behind this all is isocyanates. Spray polyurethane foam insulation of any kind uses isocyanates in 50 of the formulation even those claimed to be made with soy or other natural oils. What does the epa have to say about spray foam toxicity.

Isocyanates such as methylene diphenyl diisocyanate dmi are found in the side a of the spray foam mix. Individuals with a history of skin conditions respiratory allergies asthma or prior isocyanate sensitization should carefully review product information when considering the use of spray polyurethane foam spf products and may want to consider safer alternatives. Spray foam insulation or spray polyurethane foam spf is an alternative to traditional building insulation such as fiberglass a two component mixture composed of isocyanate and polyol resin comes together at the tip of a gun and forms an expanding foam that is sprayed onto roof tiles concrete slabs into wall cavities or through holes drilled in into a cavity of a finished wall. In the early 1990s because of their impact on ozone depletion the montreal protocol restricted the use of many chlorine containing blowing agents such as trichlorofluoromethane cfc 11.

Spray foam insulation is a two component mixture made of isocyanate and polyol resin. Isocyanates are also found in paints varnishes and other types of foam. Demand for all diisocyanates as a raw material in the production of polyurethanes was 2 305 2 million pounds while the demand for use of polymeric mdi in rigid foam which is used in a range of end use applications including spray polyurethane foam was 878 5 million pounds. These two properties combine at the tip of a spray nozzle and form an expanding foam that can be sprayed onto concrete slabs roof tiles into wall cavities or through holes drilled into the cavities of a finished wall.

This is not just a diyers issue. Is spray foam insulation toxic.