- Breathing shredded paper dust shed from cellulose insulation can cause respiratory problems in the long run. ...
- Cellulose insulation made of formaldehyde and small fibres are hazardous from environmental point of view
- Individuals with preexisting skin disorders and asthma are allergic to cellulose, because of its itch inducing particles. ...
What are the dangers of cellulose insulation?
These chemicals are linked to health problems such as:
- Disorientation
- Headaches (including migraines)
- Nausea and vomiting (symptoms of acute exposure)
- Loss of coordination (long term exposure can cause neurological damage)
- Irritation of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes
Does cellulose insulation go bad?
There's a belief that it will last as long as your house stands and that it is more effective than other types of insulation. However, there's a disclaimer. It will only last the lifetime of your home with proper insulation installation and regular maintenance. .
Why is cellulose bad for You?
Cellulose has no calories, vitamins or minerals, and no protein, carbohydrates or fat. Cellulose is a type of insoluble fiber, which means the body can't digest it. When you eat a piece of celery, the other components of the vegetable are digested, but the cellulose moves through your digestive tract unchanged.
Is cellulose insulation safe to breathe?
When applying it, is cellulose insulation safe to breathe? The answer is yes, it is totally safe. If you breathe it in, very fine fibers pose no risk of entering your respiratory system or causing any long-term damage.
Is cellulose insulation harmful for human body?
After thorough review, we at EBN have concluded that properly installed cellulose insulation is acceptable from a health standpoint. We found no significant risk of indoor air quality problems, combustion, or moisture damage if appropriate installation procedures are followed.
Can breathing in cellulose insulation make you sick?
How it can make you sick: Because of its tiny glass fibers, it can be a high risk material to have in the home. Brushing against, moving or touching the insulation can dislodge those glass fibers, allowing them to lodge into skin, eyes, and be breathed in to irritate the throat and lungs.
What are the disadvantages of cellulose insulation?
Cons of Cellulose Insulation It generates a lot of dust during installation. It is heat-resistant and has a high R-value. Cellulose insulation is prone to sagging and settling. It is heavily treated with fire-retardant chemicals.
What happens if you inhale cellulose?
Short-term inhalation of cellulose caused an inflammatory lung response which resolved despite continuing exposure. Intraperitoneal injection of cellulose fibres induced sarcomas rather than mesotheliomas at the highest dose (109 WHO fibres), while the two middle doses (107 and 108 fibres) each produced a mesothelioma.
Is cellulose insulation asbestos?
Insulation That Does Not Likely Contain Asbestos Three common forms of household insulation typically do not contain asbestos and are considered to be safe: batt or blanket fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, loose-fill insulation, and rock wool insulation.
Is blown-in insulation cancerous?
Cancer Risk. The main way insulation poses a health risk is when the tiny, needle-like fibers become airborne. Most often, you'll see this happen with loose fill insulation, exposed blanket batts and rolls, or damaged blown-in insulation. Inhaled fibers can lead to health issues, including cancer.
Do mice like cellulose insulation?
Cellulose insulation is a deterrent for mice and other types of pests. Pests prefer solid materials where they can burrow and nest. The dry composition of the insulation makes it difficult for most pests and mice to survive.
Which is better fiberglass insulation or cellulose?
At 3.5 per inch of material, the R-value of blown-in cellulose is 23% better per inch than fiberglass batts! According to research done at the Oak Ridge National Lab, fiberglass loses up to 50% of its R-value in very cold conditions; making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates.
Does cellulose insulation get mold?
Mold growth sets in: Thanks to its chemical treatment, mold doesn't grow on cellulose insulation. However, water-soaked fibers sit right against wood studs and drywall, which are susceptible to mold growth.
Does cellulose insulation contain formaldehyde?
Cellulose insulation contains no harmful products such as those found in other types of insulation, including asbestos, fiberglass, ammonium sulfate and formaldehyde.
Is it OK to touch blown-in insulation?
If they get on bare skin they can lodge into pores and cause itching, rashes, or irritations. If they are inhaled, they can result in coughing, nosebleeds, and/or respiratory problems. So if you have to handle it in any way, be sure to wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants, goggles, and a respirator-type mask.
Does cellulose insulation have a negative effect on the air quality in a house?
All About Blown-in Cellulose With blown-in cellulose, improved energy efficiency effectively reduces your home's carbon footprint. The product is well suited for the attic and roof cavity, providing satisfactory R-Values, and effective blocking of any air leakage.
Can you get sick from blown-in insulation?
When fiberglass insulation is moved or disturbed, it releases tiny particles into the air. If they get on bare skin they can lodge into pores and cause itching, rashes, or irritations. If they are inhaled, they can result in coughing, nosebleeds, and/or respiratory problems.
Does cellulose insulation have a negative effect on the air quality in a house?
All About Blown-in Cellulose With blown-in cellulose, improved energy efficiency effectively reduces your home's carbon footprint. The product is well suited for the attic and roof cavity, providing satisfactory R-Values, and effective blocking of any air leakage.
Does cellulose insulation contain formaldehyde?
Cellulose insulation contains no harmful products such as those found in other types of insulation, including asbestos, fiberglass, ammonium sulfate and formaldehyde.
Is Loose fill insulation safe?
Like all forms of asbestos, the risks of loose fill insulation depend on tiny fibres being released into the air and breathed in by human beings. These fibres have been proven to cause deadly illnesses, with symptoms often not beginning until many years after the asbestos exposure.
What happens if you use cellulose insulation in the attic?
If you use loose-fill cellulose insulation on the attic floor, the airflow from the vents will cause the material to drift, leaving spaces in the attic uninsulated. Also, as that outside air moves through the cellulose, pollen, bacteria, and mold spores can cling to it.
What is cellulose insulation?
Cellulose insulation is the oldest form of home insulation available on the market today. It can be installed as either a loose-fill or blown-in insulation.
What is the most difficult material to work with?
Cellulose insulation is one of the most difficult materials to work with if you need new wiring or alterations to the home. When a puncture is made in the cavity where the cellulose has been installed, the material just pours out of the hole.
Why is it important to maintain cellulose insulation in your home?
Solution: To ensure your home is covered the way you want it to be for insulation, it is important that you maintain the cellulose insulation in your home.
Why does cellulose get wet?
Some cellulose insulation materials can absorb up to 130 percent water by weight. Cellulose can get wet due to condensation, lack of air seal, or leaks in the home. The material dries very slowly after it absorbs the water, which causes it to deteriorate and settle.
How much does cellulose settle?
Modern cellulose settles up to 20 percent, according to House Energy.
What to do if insulation gets wet?
If the material becomes wet, your best option will be to replace it. Another option is to choose an insulation material that doesn’t retain water.
What is cellulose insulation?
Cellulose insulation is a favorite of the green home building movement. Insulation is a recycled insulation which makes it a very popular material to insulate buildings. It is made from newspaper which is always in ample supply. There are several different ways that the newspaper is processed.
Why is newspaper insulation favored?
This process is the favored process because you get a much denser material. Once the newspaper has been reduced to fibers a mold inhibiting chemical and a fire retardant chemical is mixed with the fibers. In some cases dry binders are mixed in. The newly formed insulation is bagged up and shipped to building suppliers.
Does turning newspaper into insulation require bleaching?
This requires quite a bit of energy and the use of harsh chemicals that can generate pollution. Turning newspaper into insulation does not require the de inking process nor does it require a bleaching process as a matter of fact it does not even require that much energy which makes it a much better option. 2. Low Tech Process.
Can you retrofit a house with insulation?
Retrofitting homes with this type of insulation is also relatively easy. Pieces of siding are removed and small holes are drilled in the wall and the cellulose is blown in.
Can you use air to install cellulose?
Cellulose installation can be done in either a dry installation method or a wet method. It can be blown in by using air or spread by hand. The mix can be wet or dry when applied. There are no measurements, no cutting, no rolling out the insulation. It is an easy to do install.
Is cellulose better than fiberglass insulation?
3. Energy Conservation Performance. Cellulose performs better than fiberglass insulation when it comes to reducing the cost of energy.
What is the primary ingredient in cellulose insulation?
The primary ingredient is always ground newspapers and boric acid and borax .
Why is paper so sensitive to cellulose?
Paper is far from pure cellulose. That is why some people are sensitive and bothered by it. Another potential reason for the problem is the ink used for the newspaper. Printing inks go through a complex production process using petroleum oil, vegetable oil, and synthetic resins.
How to tell if cellulose is cellulose?
Ask for a sample in a baggie from your potential installer. Take a whiff. The material should be odourless. You might notice a smell like a newspaper, because that is what cellulose basically is.
What chemicals are used to treat cellulose?
During the treatment process, cellulose is treated with chemicals like boric acid and borax, ammonium sulphate, multi-foil sulphate zinc chloride, and many more. The end product contains 20% of these chemicals. Now, in some cases, there might not be health issues at all.
How long does spray foam last?
Spray foam comes with 20+ years of guarantee, and when installed by a licensed contractor, will perform for the life of the building.
Why does my house smell like cellulose?
This is a smell that is more than likely to be emanating throughout your home because of the toxicity of the cellulose.
Is spray foam insulation good?
Thorough research regarding insulation products will enable you to ascertain that spray foam is one of the best, if not the best material nowadays , in terms of helping your health, your home, and your wallet.
How to contact Eco Insulation?
For more information, contact Eco Insulation online for a quote, or call us at 563-484 -4ECO.
Why do we use borate insulation?
When something is treated with borate, it is done so to create fire retardancy. This is incredibly helpful in the event of a home fire. The cellulose insulation can actually inhibit the spread of a fire through your home or building.
Is cellulose insulation good for the environment?
What does that have to do with your health? Well, if the substance itself is environmentally friendly, that means the environment around you isn’t being harmed through something like emissions. So you can breathe easy. Cellulose fiber is made from recycled wood fiber typically from newspaper. That means there aren’t many additional resources needed in order to make cellulose insulation.
Is cellulose insulation toxic?
Our cellulose insulation does not contain urethane, formaldehyde, or asbestos. In addition, cellulose insulation is not considered a carcinogen. So your insulation is one less household item to worry about in the fight to have a toxic free home.
What is cellulose insulation made of?
Cellulose insulation is prepared from shredded cardboard boxes and newspapers.
How long does it take for cellulose insulation to fail a fire safety test?
Research conducted by the California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation reported that most cellulose insulation samples failed the fire safety test within six months of installation.
Is cellulose a fire hazard?
Cellulose, being the base form of paper, is an organic material and, as with other organic materials, it is liable to burn. Buildings whose walls are insulated with older blown-in cellulose insulation pose serious fire hazards since the material was prepared before cellulose fire-safety standards became the norm. Advertisement.
Is cellulose insulation harmful?
Cellulose insulation contains no harmful products such as those found in other types of insulation, including asbestos, fiberglass, ammonium sulfate and formaldehyde. However, blown-in cellulose insulation is associated with a few serious hazards that must be appropriately assessed before it is used as an insulating material. Advertisement.
Is blow in insulation a fire retardant?
Blown-in cellulose insulation poses a unique hazard to individuals who are allergic to newspaper ink and chemical fire retardants. Boron chemicals, such as borax and boric acid, further aggravate matters and cause a host of respiratory problems in the elderly and infants. According to Fred A. Stitt in the "Ecological Design Handbook," homeowners allergic to ink fumes and newsprint must avoid cellulose insulation.
Does cellulose insulation absorb water?
According to Carson Dunlop in the book "Principles of Home Inspection," cellulose insulation readily absorbs water. This further affects and compromises its insulating properties. Moreover, there is evidence that water in blown-in cellulose insulation affects its fire-retardant properties and makes it susceptible to burning.
What is the most commonly used type of insulation?
Fiberglass is one of the most commonly used types of insulation in homes across America. It’s lightweight, easy to install, and relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of insulation like cellulose and spray foam.
What is the agent used to bind insulators?
It’s crucial to consider a critical agent used in binding this insulator: formaldehyde.
What happens if you are exposed to asbestos?
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, coughing up blood, loss of appetite, weight loss, or fatigue, schedule an appointment with a doctor immediately.
Does fiberglass insulation have formaldehyde?
Some manufacturers now make fiberglass insulation without toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, so you can look for these types if you’re concerned about toxicity.
Is insulation bad for you?
Most insulation is generally toxic and dangerous, especially when you’re exposed to it for a long time. Fortunately, insulation is installed in ways that minimize exposure to these risks. However, improper insulation can cause irritation, pain, or severe long-term effects.
Is spray foam insulation safe?
Spray foam insulation. Certain types of spray foam insulation that contain asbestos are banned in many states. Therefore, it’s important to read the labels and ensure you have bought a safe product before using it in your home.
What Is Loose-Fill Cellulose Insulation?
Cellulose insulation is thick, dense, and clumpy, with a consistency much like down feathers. The chief value of this shape and size is that the insulation can fit in enclosed areas (such as walls) and can conform around obstructions such as wires and ducts (found both in walls and in attics).
How is cellulose fed into an insulation blower?
Densely packed bales of cellulose are fed into the hopper of an insulation blower powered by an electric motor. Rotating teeth or prongs at the bottom of the hopper fluff up the cellulose.
What is the best insulation for a wall?
There are a number of advantages to using cellulose insulation over other types: 1 Loose-fill cellulose insulation can settle around and conform to most of the obstructions found in walls and attics. 2 Loose-fill cellulose is relatively inexpensive, yet still has an R-value of about 3.5 per inch of thickness, compared to fiberglass' R-value between R3 to R4 per inch. 3 When walls are already finished, injecting loose-fill cellulose insulation is one of the few ways of adding insulation. One alternative is to pull down the drywall and use fiberglass batts. 4 Cellulose insulation stands up reasonably well against insects and vermin because it is treated with borates.
How is cellulose blown into the attic?
The cellulose is blown into the attic or walls through long, flexible tubes that run from the blower to an application nozzle. The cellulose is allowed to fill the cavities or blanket existing insulation. No pressure is placed on the cellulose; it is allowed to settle over time. Walls are patched up and painted over.
Why is settling in attics bad?
Settling in attics is less problematic for two reasons. First, attic spaces can be overfilled to account for settling. Second, when cellulose insulation in attics settles, no empty spaces are formed. When cellulose soaks up moisture in enclosed areas, it can take a long time to dry out.
Where does cellulose come from?
Cellulose insulation technically can come from any cellular plant source, such as corncobs or sisal. But commercial cellulose insulations are generally derived from wood, and more specifically from paper: recycled newspapers, cardboard, office paper, and other common waste paper products.
Can you spray in insulation on attic?
Here, the traditional favorite is blow-in cellulose insulation, although spray-in foam is becoming steadily more common. With open walls, you can install fiberglass roll insulation, although spray-applied foam insulation is also possible. For attics, the joists are often open and accessible and thus could be insulated with ...
