Replies

1. 
   user-2310254 | Sep 20, 2016 08:41pm | #1

   What matters is how you will respond to the chemicals in open and closed cell foam, which we cannot predict. Of course, you may be able to meet your insulation objectives using a more benign material. What are you interested in doing?

2. 
   Andrew_C | Sep 20, 2016 08:53pm | #2

   There's an article on this topic in the new Oct/Nov Fine Homebuilding magazine (Issue 262). I don't see it on their website yet. It has a good explanation of how SPFI is supposed to work, and the various ways that it can go badly. It's worth a read.

   Using SPFI means making a risk assessment. Some types of risk analysis look at the severity of possible failure, the probability of said failure, and the probability of preventing the error. (Assign a grade of 1-10 for each of the three factors: Severity, Probability, Detection. Multiple the numbers together to get overall risk). If you can't stomach the risks, then it probably wouldn't be a good choice for you.

3. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Sep 21, 2016 04:46am | #3

   Lu Hawkins,
   This is a hard question to answer, because there is no simple definition of a "chemically sensitive person." Every person who defines himself or herself as chemically sensitive reacts to different substances.

   That said, my guess is that you will be more comfortable if you choose a different type of insulation.

   For more information on this issue, see Finding Insulation That’s Safe.

4. 
   lhawkinsaz | Sep 21, 2016 03:59pm | #4

   Thank you for your helpful replies!