AFT Cellulose Insulaton thermal or sound insulation materials

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Hurt, no treatment

   Made Apr 22, 2012 · , sent to the company Apr 30, 2012 · , published by CPSC May 21, 2012

   The product, in the report: Loose cellulose insulation (for blown-in application) treated with inorganic salts

   We hired a contractor to make our house (built in 1963, a large addition added in 1995 and our home since 1986) more weather-tight, improve the insulation, install new storm windows, etc. They used low-VOC foam due to my daughter’s asthma and allergies and our concerns about chemical off-gassing and fumes. The contractor did the work or organized subcontractors to do it. Fiberglass was used above and around our bedrooms in the second floor.

   After most of the work was done, one spot in our large, open attic over a one-story portion of the house containing a family room and garage that we use extensively for storage (plus the attic area opens up to the space above two other rooms where the attic ceiling is non-existent or too low for storage), did not get as much insulation as was needed and we continued to observe heat loss in that area when it snowed. Agreeing that some areas were missed, the contractor returned. The attic ducts and furnace were to be insulated and taped (done) and fiberglass batts installed on top of existing insulation and fiberglass put in areas near our furnace where insulation was missing or inadequate. At the last minute, when the insulation sub contractor had arrived, we were asked to substitute [REDACTED] for the fiberglass. After some hesitation, but after being assured it was better and would cause less dust and debris to be in the air and tracked in and out of the house in the future as we or workers when to the attic, we agreed. Due to the name and assurance that this was not dusty, I thought we were getting a rock wool insulation product. When I returned home, I found, much to my surprise, loose cellulose-like insulation dust all over the area to be insulated and loose in my garage, attic storage area floor, and on top of the ducts leading from the furnace, etc. We called the contractor back and some work was done to better contain the materials, although there remained large open areas with the material easily able to become airborne. There is insulation dust all over portions of the area where we have active storage and very near our gas furnace.

   Several weeks later I went to the attic to remove some building materials stored there. After about 10-15 minutes I could not stay in the attic due to shortness of breath, a pounding heart, and a feeling of “heaviness” in my lungs, unlike anything I have ever experienced. I am in excellent health and exercise regularly, but occasionally have some spring allergies that causes rhinitis and had already taken a precautionary allergy medication well in advance, since it was spring and the attic, well, it’s a dusty attic. Once out of the attic and some time passed, my symptoms disappeared. Since I could not continue in the attic, I asked my husband to help me. Within less than 10 minutes in the attic, he was coughing excessively and he also stopped. (He used to experience spring allergies when younger, rarely does now. He is in excellent health and does a vigorous workout almost daily). After discussing our symptoms with the contractor and the [REDACTED] manufacturer, it turned out that the subcontractor, Valley Insulation in Cleves, Ohio, had not installed [REDACTED] as we and the contractor were told. After sending the MSDS sheet for [REDACTED] to the contractor (and then from the contractor to us), Valley then said that it did not install [REDACTED], but a different product, manufactured by Advantage Fiber Technology 100 Crossroads Blvd, Bucyrus, OH 44820, 419-562-1337. Unlike [REDACTED] , this Advanced Fiber cellulose product contains ammonium sulfate as a fire-retardant. The exact amounts and formula are not spelled out on its MSDS. (We previously lived in an older home where we contracted to have cellulose blown into the walls and did not experience any adverse symptoms from the installation or home. We also frequently vacation in a home with cellulose insulation, again without any problems or symptoms. Thus, we do not think that we have any special sensitivity to cellulose properly constituted and properly installed). We suspect that the ammonium sulfate is the cause of our respiratory problems.

   We want to move forward to have this product removed so that we can again safely access our attic storage space and ensure that the product does not harm our house, health, health of workers who must access the space for furnace maintenance and repairs, electrical repairs, etc. , or our hvac system. Valley does not want to do the work. The contractor says the Advantage company has been very uncooperative and other than the MSDS sheet, will not reveal the content of its cellulose product, which it calls “AFT Cellulose Insulation.”

   Bought from

   Valley Insulation, Cleves, Ohio

   Bought

   Mar 1, 2012

   Where

   Cincinnati, Ohio: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 58, Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand AFT Cellulose Insulaton, made or sold by ADVANCED FIBER TECHNOLOGY, INC

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources