Urea Formaldehyde Notice

Foreword

Unlike foamed in place insulation, our Company guarantees the thermal efficiency of our molded inserts for twenty years.

State Bans

California, Restriction of the use of UFFI

"Limitation on Sale. Urea formaldehyde foam is unsafe for use as insulation. Sale within the State of California of urea formaldehyde foam insulation is prohibited." Like several of the papers, should an exception be allowed, application cannot be approved without a four-mil thick polyethylene barrier between the insulation and living space.

Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York

Prohibition against UFFI installations (bans).

Ohio, Restriction on the transfer of property.

Specifically: Page 2, Paragraph D

Federal Rulings

Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Lifting of Ban"

Note: "The Commission still believes that the available evidence indicates that there are risks associated with this product."

Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Ban on UFFI"

CPSC Bans Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation.

Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Proposed Ban on UFFI"

Discussion on the Proposed Nationwide Ban of Urea Formaldehyde Foam and justification of the proposal.

Consumer Product Safety Commission, "CPSC Still Concerned"

"The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission still considers urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) to be a hazardous product, and that purchasers of UFFI are at risk from elevated levels of formaldehyde."

Environmental Protection Agency Letter (May 1996)

Specifically the third paragraph indicates EPA's view on UFFI, "However, the initial imposition of the ban and the continuing concern for the potential health effects of formaldehyde exposure effectively ended, in the early 1980's the practice of UFFI in homes."

Environmental Protection Agency, "Update on Formaldehyde: 1997"

Section on "What are the Major Sources" describes Government belief in product no longer being offered for sale and continued release of gas over several years.

Environmental Protection Agency, "Formaldehyde", EPA website

EPA website discusses sources in paragraph one and, in the remaining document, the resulting effects.

Research Data and Findings

Concrete Block Insulating Systems, Letter (September 2000)

Subject: Chemical Testing of Core Fill 500 Foam

Concrete Block Insulating Systems (May 1999)

"Evaluation of Foamed Cellular Plastics as a Method of Thermally Insulating Exterior Walls" Contains photograph demonstrating shrinkage.

Concrete Block Insulating Systems (July 1996)

Technical Data Sheet #96-7, UFFI: Discusses shrinkage, disintegration, toxicity, and performance. Contains Oak Ridge Laboratory evaluation.

National Concrete Masonry Association, Letter (April 1991)

Industry response to Hi-R values promulgated by Foamers.

National Concrete Masonry Association, Letter (August 1990)

Shows R values at reasonable densities but does not include reduced values due to shrinkage, off gassing or grouting.

Masonry Institute of Michigan

Insulation Alert!, Volume II, Number 4, August 1980

Private Sector Opinion

American Lung Association, "Formaldehyde" (February 2000)

Section on "Reducing Exposure" suggests reducing exposure to formaldehyde emitting materials whether or not adverse reactions are experienced.

Environmental Defense Fund Newsletter, "Making our Schools Safer"

Item Number 5: "Require formaldehyde free carpeting, furniture and construction materials."