Information on Polyurethane Foam

Types

• Consumers have access to several different types of polyurethane foam, including hard, prefabricated polyurethane foam boards and sprayable polyurethane foam. Ease of use and versatility make sprayable polyurethane a very desirable and practical type of insulation for many practical applications. Despite the many benefits of sprayable polyurethane foam insulation, it poses several health risks to those who are exposed to it. Some specific types of spray polyurethane foam are harmful to the environment.

Benefits

• There are a number of benefits associated with polyurethane foam. One of the main benefits of spray polyurethane foam is that it expands after its application to completely fill an area, even in small, difficult-to-reach places. This type of foam does well to completely block airflow. Also, compared with other types of insulation, polyurethane foam insulation is a more efficient sound insulator.

Health Issues

• When polyurethane foam comes in contact with the eyes, it can lead to temporary blindness; permanent blindness is a possible side effect of overexposure to polyurethane foam. Toxic fumes that should not be inhaled are emitted by polyurethane foam, according to ESP Energy. Polyurethane.org claims that some people may have an allergic reaction, like difficulty breathing, after physically contacting some polyurethane foams.

Safety

• Safety precautions while handling polyurethane foam can decrease the overall risk of injury. To avoid inhaling toxic polyurethane vapors, you should wear a respirator while handling polyurethane foam. Wearing goggles or a face mask decreases the likelihood of accidental exposure to the eyes. Polyurethane toxins can also reach your blood stream merely through contact with the skin. For this reason, gloves should be worn while handling polyurethane foam.

Considerations

• Some brands of spray polyurethane foam insulation contain blowing agents that emit damaging greenhouse gases, according to ThomasNet.com.

  Professional installation of polyurethane foam insulation costs anywhere between $1 and $2 per square foot, which is more than for other types of insulation. The price varies greatly depending on the thickness of the foam installed.