ALLERGY TO BUILDING AND DECORATING MATERIALS/WHAT TO USE: INSULATION

Various materials are used in cavity wall insulation, in which insulating material is placed between the outer and inner wall of a building. One such material is urea-formaldehyde foam (UFF) which is injected into the cavity and forms a foam which adheres to the wall surfaces. UFF is only ever used on existing buildings, not at time of construction. It releases formaldehyde vapours for some considerable time after, at low levels but sufficient to cause sensitivity reactions. This type of cavity wall insulation should be avoided. It is not practicable to try and remove it.

Use of UFF has been controlled more closely by Building Regulations since 1985, due to concerns about health risks and bad publicity, and is very unlikely to have been installed after 1985. It was most in use in the 1970s to the mid-1980s.

Polystyrene is also commonly used in cavity wall insulation, as is mineral wool. These do not give off fumes in everyday circumstances and are well tolerated. Polystyrene insulation can be installed in an existing building in bead form. Polystyrene in other forms, and mineral wool can be installed in cavity walls only at the time of construction.

For dry-lining walls with an insulating layer, you can use polystyrene block bonded to plasterboard, or mineral wool secured to plasterboard.

For insulating and lagging water and heating pipes, two types of material are commonly used. One type consists of foamed plastics, often polyurethane, which give off fumes when new, or when warm, and which are best avoided. Use fibreglass wool as an alternative that does not cause sensitivity. It can scratch and irritate skin and airways when handled, so use hand and face protection.

For roof insulation, glass and mineral fibre wools are commonly used. These do not cause sensitivity but again can irritate the skin and airways on handling. Formaldehyde is applied to virtually all roof insulating material but not in high concentrations. If the material is in a well-sealed, or totally sealed, roof space, the formaldehyde should not cause any problem. Untreated roof insulating material can be manufactured, but is not usually available at wholesalers and cannot be ordered in the small volumes needed for domestic use, so, for all practical purposes, is not available. Always use hand and face protection when handling irritant insulating materials.

Hot water tank jackets do not normally cause problems once aired off. Keep cupboard doors well sealed and shut.

*273\117\8*