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  1. Expert Member
    Dana Dorsett | | #1

    Cellulose is pretty innocuous from a human health point of view, but usually not a great idea in basements due to it's moisture wicking/absorbing capacity.

    Closed cell polyurethane foam has outgassing issues if the temperature or chemical balance is out of the specified range when installed, but isn't an acute hazard if done right.

  2. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #2

    User-702 etc.
    First of all, can you tell us your name?

    There are several issues here:

    1. You didn't tell us what part of your basement you are insulating. Are you interested in insulating the walls or the ceiling?

    2. In general, cellulose insulation doesn't belong in a basement. For more information, see How to Insulate a Basement Wall.

    3. I'm not sure what you mean by "spray urea foam." That's not a term that is heard very often. You may be talking about urea formaldehyde foam insulation, which is rarely installed. If that's what you are talking about, here is a link to a relevant article: A Vilified Insulation Material From the 1970s Returns.

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