30 | MAY'S WAYS—January 2018
Last Thoughts
If you are thinking of moving into a newly constructed
home and see any of the following conditions, you may be
looking at a potential indoor air quality problem:
1. An air handler that was operated during construction
or renovation and therefore is full of dust.
2. Ducts, baseboard heating convectors, or radiators that
are full of sawdust from construction or renovation.
3. A space that contains strong odors of varnishes and
paints long after completion of the work.
4. A house with SPF insulation that emits a chemical or
fish-like odor.
If concerned about such issues when considering reno-
vating your home or purchasing a new property, confer with
an indoor-air-quality professional. But always remember to
define the problem first, before throwing a potentially expen-
sive solution at it.
Florida. Spray-polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation had
been installed in the attic and all the exterior walls. Short-
ly thereafter, an unpleasant chemical odor developed and
permeated the house – including furniture, draperies, and
even clothing. The odor made several family members feel
sick. After suffering the odor for a few months, the family
finally abandoned the home, leaving all their possessions
behind, including food in the refrigerator. I had to wear a
respirator going into the home, because the odor was so
strong and irritating.
SPF is an outstanding insulation, but unfortunately,
some companies are installing the insulation improperly
– probably due to a lack of training or understanding of
the product. SPF is developed on-site by mixing two com-
ponents – A and B – in the nozzle of a spray gun. If the
ingredients are not mixed properly, or if the insulation is
not installed under the correct conditions, noxious odors
can result. The odors can vary from "chemical" to fish-like,
depending on the type of foam, as well as on processing
or installation errors that may occur.
SPF foam in attic — May Indoor Air Investigations LLC
In some properties, the insulation has had to be com-
pletely removed. In other properties, the insulation is cov-
ered with aluminum foil-containing sheet material.
We get a few calls a month from people who move into
houses, condos or apartments that have been renovated.
These people are irritated by the odors of new paint or varnish
from re-finished floors. It can take a long time for such odors
to dissipate, in part because there is a boundary layer of air
on surfaces that slows down off-gassing. Such spaces have
to be thoroughly aired out. This means putting a supply fan or
fans in one or more windows, and an exhaust fan or fans in
one or more windows. Then oscillating fans should be directed
toward surfaces to dissipate the boundary layer of air.
i
A handy workbook for all homes, including
newly constructed homes and those that
are about to be renovated.
Available on amazon.com
