Are spray foam fumes toxic? (2023)

Does spray foam insulation give off toxic fumes?

Spray foam can potentially generate toxic emissions under these circumstances. Building renovations, demolition, or building disassembly done years later can disturb spray foam insulation. Performing hot work on or near polyurethane foam may lead to potential exposures to isocyanates and other toxic emissions.

A-Side – Inhalation overexposure can cause 1) irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs, causing runny nose, sore throat, coughing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath, and 2) respiratory tract sensitization (e.g., the development of asthma) with symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, ...

Of course, spray foam can be unsafe for occupants too. According to the EPA, occupants must stay away from the building while it cures (and as long as the dust remains) for at least 24 to 72 hours, something they, devastatingly, are not always told.

Icynene® is a non-toxic spray foam. It doesn't contain formaldehyde, HCFC, CFC or HFA so it produces no toxic emissions. And, unlike polyurethane foams, Icynene® foam cells are only filled with air.

Different manufacturers and installers of spray foam will insist that occupants vacate their homes - anywhere from 24 to 72 hours are the recommendations we've seen - to allow the foam to fully cure and off-gas.

So why is it a problem for mortgage lenders? By sealing the roof space with this material, air circulation can be restricted to the roof and timbers. This can lead to condensation, which in turn can eventually lead to the rotting of the wooden roof supports.

Will they be safe after you add foam insulation to your home? The quick answer is yes, both our injection foam and spray foam insulation are safe to have in every area of your home without worrying if it's toxic or potential health risks. We wouldn't put anything in your house that we wouldn't put in our own homes.

Ventilation systems exchange old, stale indoor air (and in your case, stinky indoor air) for fresh, filtered outdoor air. In some cases, installing one can solve your spray foam odor problem. In our climate zone, there are two options for mechanical ventilation: an ERV or a ventilating dehumidifier.

How it can make you sick: Due to the nature of the material, being sprayed as a liquid and foaming, failure to wear proper respiratory equipment can result in asthma, lung damage and eye and skin irritation. However, once fully set, spray foam is completely safe to be around and won't naturally degrade over time.

The quick answer is yes and no, because spray foam can be left exposed in some areas of the home with others require a thermal barrier according to the code. If the area of the home that has been sprayed with foam is directly connected to the living space, then it has to be separated by a thermal barrier.

Is Great Stuff foam toxic?

Once cured, GREAT STUFF™ foam forms a nonhazardous solid and is nontoxic if ingested by pets. However, it could block the intestines. If signs of distress are exhibited, seek medical or veterinary care.

Although UFFI is still used today, most modern spray foam insulation products do not contain formaldehyde. However, they are still far from green building materials. Sources vary on whether off-gassing becomes insignificant over a period of mere days or more than two years.

Castor oil-based Icynene: This additional form of chemical-free insulation is even a spray foam, but without MDI.

But the reality is spray foam insulation is comprised of a mix of toxic chemicals, which can release VOCs and create poor indoor air quality into your home, especially if the chemicals are not combined properly, if it's not applied at the right temperature, or if it's not properly installed.

In fact, according to Heritage House, they have seen entire roofs rotted and unrecoverable after SPF has been used. They state that by using SPF in your roof, '…you will devalue your home by the amount that a new roof will cost, and more.

Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

The chemicals using in spray foam can be immediately hazardous to a person's health if not properly handled. Workers must use the right protective gear to shield their eyes, nose, and throat from the damaging VOCs in the isocyanate. They avoid all skin contact with the chemicals.

A properly done spray foam job not only insulates but also greatly reduces the air leakage of a home. But that only works if the installer can get it into the places where most of the air leakage happens. In an attic, the eaves are one of the most critical places to get good coverage with the foam.

One of the biggest benefits of using spray foam is to get greater airtightness. That means you get rid of all attic ventilation, whether it's passive (ridge, gable, soffit vents) or active (fans).

Now generically speaking, we usually recommend open cell spray foam to be 6- to 10-inches on a roof deck or ceiling and 3-inches in the walls. Closed cell spray foam should be 4- to 5- inches on the ceiling and 2- to 3-inches in the walls.

Is it safe to spray foam around electrical outlets?

Never spray insulating foam inside an electrical box, as this can cause overheating of the wires.

While there may be debate between individual contractors about spraying foam insulation over electrical wires, industry guidelines state that spray foam insulation can be applied directly over electrical wiring.

Sealing around windows and doors is one of the most common uses for expanding foam. But the high-expansion stuff can actually push the jamb inward, making them impossible to open. Avoid this by using minimal expanding foam. It's formulated to fill the space around windows and doors without excess expansion.

The potential for open-cell spray foam to rot your roof is a hot topic of debate. Moisture from indoors can escape through open-cell foam and find the cold roof sheathing. From there, it accumulates and eventually rots the roof. Regardless of the climate, you should opt for closed-cell spray foam for roof insulation.

This is usually the result of chemical off-gassing. A small amount of off-gassing is normal. It should go way within a few days. If it doesn't, there may be a problem with the insulation or the way it was installed.