Spray Foam Insulation: Safety is the Reason to Leave it to the Pros

It is essential to wear protective equipment during installation to avoid eye irritation or other health hazards. Since spray polyurethane foam contains toxic chemicals during the initial installation process, if exposed it can cause lung damage. It’s just not worth the risk. When you consider self-helping spray foam insulation, rental equipment cost, product cost, health safety equipment investment, and your time, frankly, you simply don’t realize value in self-helping this project.

Now with that said, spray foam insulation is a top choice among residential and commercial construction. Its biggest benefit is it completely seals all the tiny cracks and holes that let bugs, air, and moisture creep into your home. Spray foam insulation contains chemicals called isocyanates. This chemical will cause skin and lung sensitization as well as irritation to the skin and mucous membranes to the eyes. Workers will develop an allergy to a certain chemical after being exposed to it which is referred to as sensitization. It is then necessary to control and eliminate exposures to chemical sensitizers such as isocyanates that requires putting the proper protection in place. Knowing how spray foam insulation is applied will help you to be aware of the effects it will have on later your health. Generally, the spray foam insulation installation process is completed by professionals with the right tools, training, and equipment. Thus, the chemicals used in spray foam will be immediately hazardous to a person’s health if not properly handled. Doing so, the employers will use ventilation to reduce the concentration of isocyanates in the air, restrict access to areas where isocyanates are present and provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Respirators are highly important to protect against exposure such as using an organic vapor cartridge and change it regularly. Isocyanates are odorless and colorless; such it does not present any warning properties to alert workers of exposure. If you think you have work-related asthma, see your doctor as soon as possible. Bring along the safety data sheets with OSHA factsheet, which was designed to be shared with your health care provider.

For more tips on Spray Foam Insulation, contact Custom Insulation Company, Inc.