The chemicals used in aerosol foam can be hazardous to a person's health if not handled properly. Workers should wear protective equipment to protect their eyes, nose, and throat from volatile organic compounds in isocyanate. They should also avoid all skin contact with the chemicals. According to the U.
S. EPA, the dangers of aerosol foam insulation include exposure to harmful chemicals, lung and eye irritation, shortness of breath, sore throat, and fever. However, you can avoid these adverse effects by using protective equipment when installing spray foam insulation. Open-cell foam insulation is not as strong an insulator as its closed-cell counterpart, with almost half the R-value, but it is a cheaper alternative.
The insulation materials themselves are more expensive than other types, but spray foam insulation also requires careful application. Hiring a professional can ensure that the installation is done correctly. When it comes to sound reduction, fiberglass, mineral wool (also known as rockwool) and spray foam (especially open-cell) are among the most recommended options. Unlike other forms of insulation that can be compromised by water, closed-cell spray insulation is airtight. Adding insulation foam is a potential solution for homeowners looking to reduce noise from outside or minimize the amount of noise that is transferred between floors.
Once you're exposed, you could have asthma attacks when you're in any building that has spray foam. Homeowners who can't find a low-GWP spray foam option or who decide that another form of insulation best suits their needs may want to consider a recycled option. The improved insulation provided by aerosol foam can compensate for environmental damage; however, it may take at least a decade before the adverse effects are offset by the home's energy savings. Traditional spray foam insulation is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and its combustion contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the expanding agent that creates the small holes in the foam and gives it insulating power has a high GWP (global warming potential).Chris Magwood has calculated that insulating a house with aerosol foam emits more CO2 into the atmosphere than is saved over the life of the house.
Once the foam dries completely, it should no longer be dangerous, so you should wait a full day before returning home. A well-known website for people who work at home recently published a publication entitled Here's Why You Should Use Aerosol Foam on Fiberglass. Closed-cell foam insulation is a powerful insulator with an R (thermal resistance) value of 6 to 7 per inch of thickness. In conclusion, aerosol foam insulation can be hazardous to your health if not handled properly and it also has environmental implications due to its high GWP and reliance on petroleum products. Furthermore, it may take at least a decade before any energy savings are realized from using this type of insulation.
Therefore, homeowners should carefully consider all of these factors before deciding whether or not to use spray foam insulation.
