Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI)

Urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) is a mixture of urea formaldehyde resin, foaming agent and propellant, which was used to insulate hard to access areas in buildings.

Following installation of the insulation, indoor formaldehyde air levels were raised temporarily, causing irritation to some residents. Formaldehyde is irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and skin and is a skin sensitiser. Formaldehyde concentrations generally returned to background levels within a few days to a few months of UFFI installation. Touching or inhaling breakdown particles of UFFI may cause skin or respiratory irritation, however this does not normally occur except during work that disturbs the insulation.

Whilst formaldehyde is classified as carcinogenic, very low levels of formaldehyde are common in indoor and outdoor air and such levels are not associated with increased cancer risks. More information on cancer risks at different air levels is available from NICNAS.
- Prevent eye/skin contact and dust inhalation by wearing coveralls (or work clothing with long sleeves and long pants), gloves, safety glasses and a Class P1 disposable respirator.
- Place waste in plastic bags or drums and seal them.
- Wash hands and face after finishing the job, and wash hair after work.
- Use wet wiping (where there is no electrical hazard) or high-efficiency particular air (HEPA) vacuum to remove UFFI dust residue. Avoid dry sweeping, which may spread dust.
- Ensure there are controls in place to reduce risks from site specific hazards (eg electrical hazards, risk of falls).
- NICNAS Priority Existing Chemical Assessment Report PEC No. 28 Formaldehyde, 2006
- Department of the Environment, Air Toxics and Indoor Air Quality in Australia, State of Knowledge Report, 2001
- Carson Dunlop Consulting Engineers (USA), Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation

Acknowledgement of Country