No Solution for Toxic Spray Foam Removal

The application of spray foam is easy, but the removal is nearly impossible. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and mal-odors resulting from spray foam can absorb into nearby building materials and furnishings, allowing odors to permeate for years. Residual foam will remain embedded within the wood structures.


People concerned about the toxic off-gassing of spray foam have resorted to various methods of removal: dry ice blasting, soda blasting, physical cutting and even replacing the structure.The catastrophic financial loss from incorrectly-applied spray foam insulation only compounds the long-term health impacts from the toxic fumes. Further studies and protocol are required for the safe removal of toxic spray foam.

We recommend first having your home and areas impacted by spray foam tested for Formaldehyde, Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI), Toluene Diisocyante (TDI), Carbon Dioxide and total volatile organic compounds (VOC) to establish initial baseline levels in order to measure the effect of any remedial efforts.

Fox News Report on Toxic Spray Foam

Health Effects Toxic Spray Foam

Toxic spray foam off-gasses or releases harmful chemicals in the air, some of which you can smell and some of which you cannot. Many of these chemicals cause immediate or acute reactions and can cause long-lasting and permanent damage to your body. 

Isocyanates, specifically methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) are the leading cause of work-related asthma.  MDI and TDI are linked with toxic spray foam.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), additional health effects of MDI and TDI include:

• Dermatitis
• Eczema
• Skin and Eye Irritation 
• Dyspnea
• Nasal and Lung Lesions
• Neurological Disorders

 Formaldehyde may be used to produce MDI in spray foam. This cancer-causing chemical is characterized by a peculiar, sweet odor. Typical reactions to formaldehyde include:

• Watery Eyes
• Mucus Membrane Irritation 
• Headaches
• Burning Sensation in the Throat
• Difficulty Breathing
• Aggravated Asthma Symptoms 

 People react differently to indoor air pollution and report a variety of symptoms. Some people, especially children, are much more sensitive to chemical exposure, even at levels below the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) guidelines. People with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or  have been exposed to isocyanates in the past are much more susceptible to adverse health effects at low levels.

Symptoms may not occur immediately. Several IndoorDoctor clients have reported adverse health effects months or even years after moving into a home or working in a building with toxic spray foam insulation.

We encourage anyone living or working in a building with toxic spray foam not to ignore their symptoms and to see their physician immediately. Make sure to follow-up by scheduling independent testing to document the presence of poisonous off-gassing. 

Toxic Spray Foam Insulation Overview

In an effort to reduce home energy costs, more and more homeowners are retrofitting their homes by installing spray foam insulation. While this material is effective at reducing heat loss, it can also emit airborne, cancer-causing agents. At IndoorDoctor, we’ve seen an increased number of indoor air quality concerns from clients who have recently installed spray foam; they report prolonged foul odors throughout the home and experience adverse health symptoms.  

 
Spray foam manufactures and installers claim the product to be safe for home residents and for the environment by advertising the material as “non-toxic,” “volatile organic compound (VOC) free,’ “formaldehyde free,” and “green.” Some installers even suggest the spray foam will improve your air quality by preventing outside air pollution from entering the home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), however, points to the harmful chemicals IndoorDoctor clients report; “Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is an effective insulation and air sealant material; however, exposures to its key ingredient, isocyanates such as methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and other SPF chemicals that may be found in vapors, aerosols, dust or on surfaces during and for a period of time after installation may cause adverse health effects such as asthma.”

How do the key ingredients mentioned by the EPA become harmful? Spray foam consists of two compounds—an isocyanate and a mixture of polyols, additives, and catalysts—that are mixed together at the job site to form the hardened insulation. When these compounds become unbalanced or the chemicals are not heated to the correct temperature before being sprayed, harmful chemicals can be released into the air. One such chemical is phenol-formaldehyde, which replaced urea formaldehyde (UFFI) when it was banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1982. Current spray foam mixtures containing formaldehyde can produce the airborne MDI against which the EPA warns. Such chemicals can cause cancer and contribute to unsafe air quality. The symptoms of these chemicals will be addressed in another blog post.

While mixing toxic chemicals in a controlled setting such as a laboratory can be challenging, conducting this practice in the confines of a hot attic or restricted crawlspace poses even greater challenges. Other variables that can increase the risk of dangerous off-gassing include temperature and humidity, thickness of spray foam application, and the cleanliness and functionality of equipment. Lastly, the air flow in confined spaces increase the number of chemicals and VOCs released into the air; often installers fail to properly ventilate the airspace to make up for the air flow loss resulting from the spray foam application.

How do you know if your spray foam is off-gassing these cancer-causing chemicals? IndoorDoctor recommends conducting independent testing for formaldehyde and VOCs in addition to a civil-engineered assessment of current ventilation within your home.