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Use natural materials, if possible, in areas of the house with low or no moisture. Options include cotton from post-industrial scrap denim, sheep’s wool, hemp and cellulose from recycled newspaper, and other natural fibers. Keep in mind that cellulose insulation runs the risk of settling over time.
Overall, if you are looking for the best long-term solution, foam insulation products will create the air seal in your home that will make it more comfortable while saving you money on your monthly energy bills. Foam insulation doesn’t settle or sag and it fills all the nooks and crannies where it is installed.
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.
Fiberglass insulation Fiberglass is one of the more popular somewhat eco-friendly insulation alternatives to foam insulation. It offers an R-value of around 2.2 to 3.8 per inch, depending on its construction, and contains around 20% recycled content.
However, it has been reported to cause fibrosing lung disease, lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum [1–3], and proved to have toxicity through many in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Mineral wool is my top pick for most people, in most cases, because it’s simple in its composition and comes to a complete cure, leaving a zero-VOC product.
Fiberglass insulation is constructed of tiny shards of glass that form pockets to trap air and help restrict the transfer of heat. Its naturally mold resistant in that the material itself is not a food source for mold. … Over time, given the right conditions, mold can grow in fiberglass.
There is no evidence that fiberglass causes cancer in people. Animal studies have shown an increased risk of cancer when fiberglass fibers were implanted in the lung tissue of rats, but these studies are controversial because of how the fibers were implanted.
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.
The most common insulation materials are fiberglass, cellulose and foam. Home insulation types include any of the above materials in the form of loose-fill, batts, rolls, foam board, spray foam and radiant barriers.
The EPA has classified refractory ceramic fibers as probable human carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined glass filaments, glass wool, rock wool, and slag wool to not be classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).
Not only is rockwool unfriendly to the environment – it’s also potentially harmful to your health. New blocks can contain a lot of dust and loose fibers that can get in your eyes, mouth, skin and lungs. … If you’re using rockwool, you should be using a mask, goggles and gloves when you work with it to protect yourself.
Rock wool can be more costly per batt but has a higher R value than fibreglass per inch; less health risks during installation; easier installation; it performs better for fire and sound and is less harmful to the environment.
In this study, house mice caused significant (P < 0.01) increases in the thermal conductance of 10.2-cm thick wall panels, insulated with cellotex, fiberglass, rockwool, styrofoam, and vermiculite. … House mice often tunnel and nest in insulation within wall spaces and ceilings.
Roxul’s AFB mineral wool insulation will be manufactured with a formaldehyde-free binder later this year. Owens Corning says it will offer a similar product. (Steel studs are thermal bridges, and should usually be insulated with a layer of continuous exterior insulation, not with batts installed between the studs.
10) Does ROCKWOOL contain formaldehyde? Standard ROCKWOOL products do currently use a phenol formaldehyde binder during production. During manufacturing, the binder is cured at very high temperatures leaving only trace amounts in the product after it is produced.
Technically, mold does not typically grow on the insulation itself. Fiberglass is not a viable food source for mold. Yet mold growth is often found on the top surface of attic insulation.
Some insulation materials — including fiberglass, cellulose, and mineral wool — rarely contain hazardous mineral. Others, especially vermiculite insulation, almost always contain asbestos. Fortunately, vermiculite insulation is easily identifiable.
As mentioned, loose fill insulation like fiberglass becomes discolored when it filters the air leaking from your house. While it might not be immediately noticeable, over time the air leaking from your house carries dust, other particles and moisture, which is what ultimately turns the fiberglass insulation black.
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.
Insulation can make you ill in a variety of ways, often presenting some allergies or the flu. Improper Installation–This could be poorly installed or hung insulation, or simply using the wrong material in the wrong space.
Inhaling the particles for extended periods can cause serious respiratory problems, including breathing difficulties and frequent asthma triggers. If you notice a persistent odor in your home after insulating your attic, get professional help to improve indoor air quality and safeguard your family’s health.
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.
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.
The insulation has a low toxicity to mammals such as mice that filter out the poison through their livers, Ansley says. But because the cellulose insulation is loose and falls in on itself, rodents don’t like it and will often leave because they prefer areas where they can burrow in order to nest.
It is very important to clarify that spray foam insulation, when installed properly by professionals, is a safe type of insulation. In fact, once it has cured properly, it will even contribute to improving the indoor air quality of your home.
House SizeAverage Costs (Installed)1,000 sq.ft.$1,650 – $15,0001,200 sq.ft.$1,980 – $16,500
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can’t breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home’s interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That’s when mold starts to grow.
Rockwool also recommends the use of disposable facemasks, especially when working in confined or dusty spaces or with high speed cutting tools.
- 1 – Jigsaw Foams and Pool Noodles. Jigsaw foams are the same foams found in children’s playgrounds or nursery schools. …
- 2 – Perlite and Vermiculite. …
- 3 – Expanded Clay Pellets. …
- 4 – Coco Coir. …
- 5 – Rice Hulls. …
- 6 – Potting Soil. …
- 7 – Gardening Soil. …
- 8 – Gravel.
Rock Wool still makes products for residential, industrial and commercial buildings as well as marine applications, none of which contains asbestos. Most of its products sold today are marketed under the trade name DELTA.
Rockwool is a breathable material allowing moisture to escape from the construction. This reduces the risk of mould and bacterial growth on the inside of the property. It constitutes a compression-resistant material that can be used as roofing boards or bonded panels.
One thought that comes to mind is to spray the rockwool with a clear-coat spraypaint sealer after it’s installed, just to try to make a surface that binds the fibers together a little, but that’s probably not compatible with the whole fire-rated ceiling theory. …
In summary, rockwool is a type of thermal insulation made from heated, naturally-occurring minerals. It is generally considered to be safe and effective.
Fiberglass and mineral wool insulation are both inorganic, and therefore don’t feed mold growth. … Even though some products claim to be mold-resistant, mold can grow on ANY surface under the right conditions. In order to prevent microbial growth, moisture must be controlled.
Water Resistance: Mineral wool insulation is hydrophobic, meaning it’s highly resistant to moisture and water. Since it doesn’t absorb moisture, mineral wool doesn’t promote rot, corrosion, fungi, mold, mildew or bacterial growth. … Fire Resistance: Mineral wool is extremely fire resistant and can be used as a firestop.
Smaller fibers may be inhaled deep into the lungs. Inhaled fibers are removed from the body partially through sneezing or coughing, and through the body’s defense mechanisms. Fiberglass that reaches the lungs may remain in the lungs or the thoracic region. Ingested fiberglass is removed from the body via feces.