Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI)
was developed in Europe in the 1950s as an
improved means of insulating
difficult-to-reach cavities in house walls.
It is typically made at a construction site
from a mixture of urea-formaldehyde resin, a
foaming agent and compressed air. When the
mixture is injected into the wall, urea and
formaldehyde unite and "cure" into an
insulating foam plastic.
During the 1970s, when concerns about
energy efficiency led to efforts to improve
home insulation in Canada, UFFI became an
important insulation product for existing
houses. Most installations occurred between
1977 and its ban in Canada in 1980.
Why Was UFFI Banned?
In the insulating process, a slight
excess of formaldehyde was often added to
ensure complete "curing" with the urea to
produce the urea-formaldehyde foam. That
excess was given off during the curing,
almost entirely within a day or two of
injection. Properly installed, UFFI might
not have resulted in any problem.
Unfortunately, however, UFFI was sometimes
improperly installed or used in locations
where it should not have been. Enough
complaints were received, particularly from
people living in small, well-sealed homes,
that Canadian authorities became concerned
about possible health implications. The
further use of UFFI was banned in 1980.
What Is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a pungent, colorless gas
commonly used in water solution as a
preservative and disinfectant. It is also a
basis for major plastics, including durable
adhesives. It occurs naturally in the human
body and in the outdoor environment.
Formaldehyde is used to bond plywood,
particleboard, carpets and fabrics, and it
contributes to "that new house smell."
Formaldehyde is also a by product of
combustion; it is found in tobacco smoke,
vehicle exhaust and the fumes from furnaces,
fireplaces and wood stoves.
While small amounts of formaldehyde are
harmless, it is an irritating and toxic gas
in significant concentrations. Symptoms of
overexposure to formaldehyde include
irritation to eyes, nose and throat;
persistent cough and respiratory distress;
skin irritation; nausea; headache; and
dizziness.
Health Canada has determined that 0.1
parts per million (ppm) is a safe level of
formaldehyde in the home. Sensitivity to
this level may vary based on individual age
and health.
Should You Be Concerned About
UFFI Today?
Tests show that UFFI is not a source of
over-exposure to formaldehyde after the
initial curing and release of excess gas. As
it was last installed in 1980, it would
certainly not be causing excess indoor
formaldehyde today. Houses with UFFI show no
higher formaldehyde levels than those
without it. However, if UFFI comes in
contact with water or moisture, it could
begin to break down. Wet or deteriorating
UFFI should be removed by a specialist and
the source of the moisture problem should be
repaired.
In new or other well-sealed houses,
significant indoor formaldehyde levels may
still occur when new carpets or wood
composite materials, such as plywood,
particleboard and waferboard, are used in
home construction, cabinetry and
furnishings. These are the most likely
sources of high formaldehyde levels in the
home today.
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