Rigid Insulation Made Without Plastic

-- From BuildingGreen's 2009 Top-10 Products list

Thermafiber makes a variety of mineral-fiber insulation products from pre-consumer recycled iron-ore slag for commercial and residential thermal, sound attenuation, and fire-resistant construction applications. Both batt and boardstock materials are available in a wide range of densities, facings, thicknesses, and R-values. Thermafiber products, according to the manufacturer, are noncombustible without flame retardants, are odor-free, will not absorb moisture or support mildew or fungus, and will not rot or decay. A urea-extended, phenol-formaldehydeChemical found in many building products; most binders used for manufactured wood products are formaldehyde compounds. Reclassified by the United Nations International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2004 as a “known human carcinogen." binderGlue used in manufactured wood products, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, and engineered lumber. Some binders are made with formaldehyde. See urea-formaldehyde binder and methyl diisocyanate (MDI) binder. (up to 3% by weight) is used to hold fibers together, but the manufacturing process results in very low residual levels of formaldehyde in the insulation. Measured formaldehyde emissions, as tested by Air Quality Sciences, are 0.012 parts per million (ppm) for the company’s batt insulationInsulation, usually of fiberglass or mineral wool and often faced with paper, typically installed between studs in walls and between joists in ceiling cavities. Correct installation is crucial to performance. , compared with average background formaldehyde levels of about 0.20 ppm. These levels are far lower than the most stringent CARB Phase II formaldehyde emission levels for wood panel products.

More information:
Thermafiber, Inc.
3711 W. Mill St.
Wabash, IN 46992
Phone: 260-563-2111
Toll-free: 888-834-2371
Fax: 800-294-7076
www.thermafiber.com