By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
The insulation within our walls is made with urea formaldehyde foam. Now we're concerned about the safety implications of this material when we decide to sell the house. What is our obligation? Disclosure? Removal? Abatement of some kind? Etc.? -- Stuart
Dear Stuart,
Your only obligation regarding urea formaldehyde insulation is disclosure to buyers. Neither removal nor abatement is required. Furthermore, the health implications of old foam insulation are unlikely to be significant. After 20 years of curing time, vapor emissions from the material are probably minuscule, if any.
During the 1970's, foam insulation was used to upgrade the energy efficiency of many homes, yours included. Then, during the 1980's, it joined the ranks of asbestos and radon gas as an indoor environmental health concern. But unlike asbestos and radon, urea formaldehyde foam improves with age: It contains a finite amount formaldehyde vapor that dissipates and diminishes with the passage of time.
If you'd prefer to go the extra mile, as it relates to disclosure, find an environmental testing company in your area, and have them check the air in your home for formaldehyde vapor. If little or none is present, their report can be used to reassure, rather that alarm, future buyers.
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