Replies

1. Expert Member
   BILL WICHERS | Mar 17, 2020 05:45pm | #1

   It’s odd that you’d notice any kind of roofing material from the inside of the home. Most of the time when someone is chemically sensitive, it’s things INSIDE the structure that bother them. Your case is the first I’ve heard of someone having an issue with an EXTERIOR product. That makes me think you might want to consider improving the air sealing of your roof/ceiling so that you’ll be better protected from whatever you end up using on the roof.

   You might want try something unconventional like putting a layer of metalized polyethylene sheet in the roof stackup on the interior side. The purpose of that metalized poly would be to provide a barrier to any solvents that may be offgassed from whatever roof material you end up using. Since those membrane roof products are all vapor barriers already, you won’t have any issues with drying by adding the poly that you wouldn’t have had anyone due to the roof material itself.

   Bill

1. 
   chemicalFam | Mar 18, 2020 03:27pm | #3

   Thanks Bill
   This is a 100 yr old house with old storm windows and sash windows,
   and I am very allergic so even tiny amounts give me severe symptoms (it's not the same exactly but think of the kids who can have severe reactions to peanut butter because a tiny trace of the oil was on something they handled)

   The idea of "metalized polyethelene" sounds interesting. Is the "roof stack" the hatch in the roof? we also have a chimney for our gas boiler.
   How would that be placed?

   Thanks

2. 
   gusfhb | Mar 18, 2020 10:58am | #2

   The best suggestion I could think of is EPDM, with low a low VOC glue, or depending on the specific roof design, edge terminated could work. I cannot imagine EPDM itself would have any chemical issues.
   I think I would leave the house during install, and for a short time after. Perhaps rinsing the roof off, as the EPDM might have some kind of release powder on it.

   Mostly any issues with EPDM would be from the chemicals used during install. They are going to be gone very quickly

1. 
   chemicalFam | Mar 18, 2020 03:31pm | #4

   Thanks I tried samples of EPDM and had significant reactions to it

   I did get a sample of TPO from "Better Materials" online.
   I understand that every company makes the TPO somewhat differently, some even add EDPM which would not work for me, but I am finding it near impossible to get samples from Firestome and GAF etc

   That is all I've got at the moment.

1. 
   gusfhb | Mar 18, 2020 05:20pm | #7

   I am not trying to minimize your concerns, but it seems really, really unlikely that you are reacting to the EPDM. The solvents, or the dust[maybe talc?] seem more likely, and that can be worked around.
   TPO has similar types of chemical ingredients, but maybe the lower levels of solvents would work better for you

1. 
   chemicalFam | Mar 18, 2020 06:07pm | #10

   Thanks Keith
   I do understand how this all may seem improbable.
   Before it happened to me I would have had the same questions.

   I was hoping to find a TPO free of EDPM - I understand they are all made of different chemicals. I can tolerate some chemicals for example some forms of polypropylene plastic are fine. I just have to search for something I am not getting sick with.

   Someone with a similar condition used TPO but she couldn't recall the manufacturer. I am finding it really difficult to get samples so was hoping to narrow my search

   Ordinary Chemicals are poisons in my system, particularly petroleum based materials, but even the turpines in pine 2x4s are unbearable. I have severe respiratory reactions - similar to asthma - as well as other physical symptoms that are disabling.

   Something attached to the house is not only expensive but the reality that it cannot be removed quickly increases my need to be careful.

3. GBA Editor
   Brian Pontolilo | Mar 18, 2020 03:48pm | #5

   Hi ChemicalFam.

   I agree with Bill on the air sealing work. I imagine your ceiling must be quite leaky for you to notice the off gassing of the roofing membrane inside.

   Also, have you consulted with an HVAC expert to make sure that you have adequate ventilation? You should probably have a balanced system. Adequate makeup air for any exhaust fans may also prevent bath fans, range hood, etc. from pulling in air from random gaps in the envelope. An expert may also be able to help you tune your ventilation to slightly pressurize your home so no unwanted pollutants are being pulled in.

   By the way, what is the actual roof pitch?

1. 
   chemicalFam | Mar 18, 2020 05:56pm | #8

   Thanks Brian
   This is a 100 yr old Victorian with no HVAC. Just a hatch and a chimney on the roof.

   I am on the second floor and the opening to the attic t is right on my landing. It's an old ladder and it doesn't really seal the attic opening.

   I have not put anything on the roof yet, but a reaction to new asphalt shingles on a fake mansard outside my windows made me aware that anything ON the house could make me ill. (we had to remove them after 2 years, in the summer sun, with a southern exposure, the fumes were pretty horrible)

   The pitch is 1:12
   so options are limited

4. Expert Member
   BILL WICHERS | Mar 18, 2020 04:58pm | #6

   To add to what Brian said, check that any makeup air intakes aren’t right next to something that bothers you, like a plastic thing or part of the roof that heats up and smells when the sun is on it.

   Bill

1. 
   chemicalFam | Mar 18, 2020 05:57pm | #9

   Thanks Bill
   no HVAC
   Just a boiler

1. 
   nickdefabrizio | Dec 29, 2021 06:10pm | #11

   How did this turn out? Did you eventually find a low VOC roofing alternative?