Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation

Sources of human exposure to formaldehyde are engine exhaust, tobacco smoke, natural gas, fossil fuels, waste incineration, and oil refineries (129). It is found as a natural component in fmits, vegetables, meats, and fish and is a normal body metaboHte (130,131). FaciUties that manufacture or consume formaldehyde must control workers exposure in accordance with the following workplace exposure limits in ppm action level, 0.5 TWA, 0.75 STEL, 2 (132). In other environments such as residences, offices, and schools, levels may reach 0.1 ppm HCHO due to use of particle board and urea—formaldehyde foam insulation in constmction. 

Formaldehyde from particle board, pressed wood, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, plywood resins, hardwood paneling, carpeting, upholstery ... 

The fate of the urea formaldehyde foam industry is a classic example of the power of public reaction. Urea formaldehyde foam insulation which was not installed properly emitted formaldehyde fumes which caused discomfort and, in some cases, allergic reactions. Formaldehyde also was identified as a suspect carcinogen. The product became unmarketable long... 

Formaldehyde is an important industrial chemical for the production of synthetic resins. These resins are applied primarily as adhesives in the production of a large number of consumer products and construction materials that end up in homes. Other sources of indoor formaldehyde include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, textile additives, as well as combustion and tobacco smoke. Formaldehyde is one of the many VOCs present indoors and it is considered the most abundant among them. It has important toxic effects in the 0.1-5 ppm concentration range. 

Day JH, Lees REM, Clark RH, et al. 1984. Respiratory response to formaldehyde and off-gas of urea formaldehyde foam insulation. Can Med Assoc J 131 1061-1065. 

Godish T, Fell J, Lincoln P. 1984. Formaldehyde levels in New Hampshire urea - formaldehyde foam insulated houses. Relationship to outdoor temperature. J Air Pollut Control Assoc 34 1051-1052. 

Pross HF, Day JH, Clark RH, et al. 1987. Immunological studies of subjects with asthma exposed to formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) off products. J Allergy Clin Immunol 79 797-810. 

The incidences of perceptible formaldehyde in schools, homes, and offices can cause uncertainty among building users about the safety of living with formaldehyde. This uncertainty has led to the closing of schools in Germany, Switzerland and Eastern countries. In North America it was enhanced by the large scale installation of urea formaldehyde foam insulation (IIFFI), because a substantial part of this material was made from small scale resin batches prepared under questionable quality control conditions and was installed by unskilled operators (32), often in unsuitable locations. 

Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation Products Urea formaldehyde foam... 

Most products tested released only small amounts of formaldehyde. Only some pressed wood and urea formaldehyde foam insulation products released higher amounts of formaldehyde. Products tested in both ventilated chambers and unventilated desiccators released similar amounts of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde released by particle board was reabsorbed by the second product tested in a dynamic chamber. In a house this reabsorption might lower the room level of formaldehyde. 

During the past decade, urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde resin binders have contributed greatly to the progress of wood industries. Formaldehyde is widely used as a major component in the production of building materials, such as particleboard and plywood, and in urea formaldehyde foam insulation. However, the emissions of formaldehyde from these products create considerable concerns not only in the working environments but also in residences, mobile homes, and office buildings. These concerns have also been stimulated by reports on the health effects and carcinogenicity associated with formaldehyde exposure. 

Formaldehyde is also released from aminoplasts and their derivatives, such as urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), wood adhesives, and textile finishing agents. It is this supplemental, industrial source of formaldehyde that has become the subject of risk analysis. Should we allow products that serve our daily comfort to alter our environment by releasing an irritating vapor with a pungent odor ... 

The incidence of perceptible formaldehyde in homes, offices and schools has caused widespread uncertainty about the safety of living with formaldehyde. This uncertainty was enhanced by the large scale installation of urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) because a substantial part of this material was made from small scale resin batches prepared under questionable quality control conditions, and was installed by unskilled operators (10). The only reliable way to avoid such uncertainty is to know the emission rate of products and develop a design standard that allows prediction of indoor air levels. The first and most important step in this direction was achieved with the development and implementation of material emission standards. As indicated above, Japan led the field in 1974 with the introduction of the 24-hr desiccator test (6), FESYP followed with the formulation of the perforator test, the gas analysis method, and later with the introduction of air chambers (5). In the U.S. the FTM-1 (32) production test and the FTM-2 air chamber test (33) have made possible the implementation of a HUD standard for mobile homes (8) that is already implemented in some 90% of the UF wood production (35), regardless of product use. 

Ban of Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation," U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Register, 1982, 47, 14366-14421. 

Formaldehyde is one of several volatile organic compounds. Indoor sources of formaldehyde include particleboard, plywood, fibre board, panelling, urea formaldehyde foam insulation and some carpets and furniture, as well as some household chemicals. Formaldehyde is a well-known irritant of the upper respiratory tract. Other problems may include IgE sensitisation to formaldehyde, and the possibility that formaldehyde exposure increases the risk of IgE sensitisation to common aeroallergens. In a study in Australia it was shown that low-level exposure to indoor formaldehyde may increase the risk of IgE sensitisation to common aeroallergens in school children [311(111)]. 

Schenker MB, Weiss ST, Murawski BJ Health effects of residence in homes with urea formaldehyde foam insulation a pilot study. Environment International 8 359-363, 1982... 

On June 10,1980, the Commission proposed a rule under Section 27(e) that would have required manufacturers of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation to alert purchasers and prospective purchasers to certain possible acute health effects. 45 Fed. Reg. 39434. The Commission s rule was never adopted because the Agency subsequently decided to propose a ban on urea-formaldehyde insulation based on evidence indicating that formaldehyde may be carcinogenic. The Commission finalized that ban in a rule published on April 2, 1982. 47 Fed. Reg. 14366. In the preamble to the final rule, the Commission explained why warnings relating to the carcinogenic hazards presented by urea-formaldehyde would not be sufficient to protect consumers. 47 Fed. Reg. 14401. 

W.J. Rossiter Jr., and R.G. Mathey, Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulations, National Bureau of Standards, Gaitherhurg, MD, USA, 1985. 

On further addition of urea and HCHO, H(NHCO—NH—CH2) —OH is formed. With an acid catalyst, it is possible to produce a foam product known as urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) having a thermal conductivity, K, of about 0.022 Wm K . ... 

Consumer Product Safety Commission. Alert Sheet Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980. 

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