UFFI was the material used in the 1970s and early 1980s to
insulate older homes. The material was injected between the studs in the wall
cavity by drilling holes on the exterior and/or interior walls between each stud,
and above and below windows and doors. The material was mixed on-site
(formaldehyde was used as a binder) and pumped into the cavity where it
expanded into foam, dried, and became relatively rigid. It is found adjacent to electrical outlets
and switches and at the stud bays and wood plates of older balloon-framed
houses. The foam is fragile and will break up, almost to the consistency of
baby powder when you check it.
The insulation was
considered an ideal retro fit insulation with good insulation qualities. However,
the material, once installed, would off-gas and cause an allergic reaction and
respiratory problems in some people.
The material was banned in
the United States in 1982 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In 1983, the ban in the United States was
overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The off-gassing of formaldehyde occurred over a 5 to 10-year period. The
off-gassing period and severity is affected by the relative humidity, the
exposure to the sun and the ability for the humidity to access the walls. Since
the material has not been installed since the early 1980s, the hazards
associated with the off-gassing of the material are considered to be negligible.
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