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Year 2011
1st July 2011
Formaldehyde Free Insulation

  • WHAT IS FORMALDEHYDE?
    Formaldehyde is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. It is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers. In 2005, annual world production of formaldehyde was estimated to be 23 million tonnes (50 billion pounds). Commercial solutions of formaldehyde in water, commonly called formalin, were formerly used as disinfectants and for preservation of biological specimens

    In view of its widespread use, toxicity and volatility, exposure to formaldehyde is a significant consideration for human health. On 10 June 2011, the US National Toxicology Program has described formaldehyde as "known to be a human carcinogen"
  • WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS OF FORMALDEHYDETHE?
    Formaldehyde is a common building block for the synthesis of more complex compounds and materials. The textile industry uses formaldehyde-based resins as finishers to make fabrics crease-resistant. Formaldehyde-based materials are key to the manufacture of automobiles, and used to make components for the transmission, electrical system, engine block, door panels, axles and brake shoes
  • THE ROLE OF FORMALDEHYDE IN INSULATION?
    From the time glass mineral wool was invented, manufacturers have used formaldehyde as a binder ingredient in the manufacturing process to help glue or “bind” the glass fibres together. The binder gives the insulation its shape and the ability to recover from a highly compressed package. However, the level of formaldehyde contained in glass mineral wool is negligible as compared to other building materials
  • DOES FORMALDEHYDE IN TRADITIONAL GLASS MINERAL WOOL INSULATION PRESENT HEALTH ISSUES?
    No. The trace amounts of formaldehyde in traditional glass mineral wool insulation do not present health or indoor air-quality issues. For instance, the U.S.A. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) do not even list glass mineral wool as a major source of formaldehyde in the home. Therefore, the trace amounts of formaldehyde in glass mineral wool insulation are not a concern to human health or the environment

    In absolute agreement with this, the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) mentioned that:

    “Consistent with the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, we do not consider the trace amounts of formaldehyde found in glass mineral wool insulation to be a concern to human health or the environment.”
    (NAIMA, 3-22-02)

    Existing research on PGF Insulation existing glass mineral wool insulation with phenol-formaldehyde binders contains levels of formaldehyde that could potentially be released from a finished ordinary product are so low as to present virtually no risk. There is simply no health problem presented by the trace amounts of formaldehyde in traditional fiber glass