• About Us
  • What is DfE?
  • Quienes Somos? (Spanish)
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Safer Product Labeling
  • DfE's Alternatives
    Assessments Program
  • DfE Stakeholder Groups
  • Contact Us
  • DfE on Facebook!
• About the DfE Label
  • What Does the DfE Label Mean?
  • Which Products Have the DfE
    Label?
  • How to Partner, Get the DfE
    Label
  • DfE Safer Chemical Ingredients
  • DfE Criteria for Safer Chemical
    Ingredients
  • DfE Antimicrobial Pesticide Pilot
    Project
• Labeled Products
  • For Consumers
  • For Industrial & Institutional
    Purchasers
• DfE Projects
  • DfE's Alternatives Assessments
    Program
  • BPA in Thermal Paper
  • Flame Retardant Alternatives
    to decaBDE
  • Flame Retardant Alternatives
    for Hexabromocyclododecane
    (HBCD)
  • Flame Retardants in Circuit
    Boards
  • Flame Retardants in Furniture
  • Nonylphenol Ethoxylate (NPE)
    Surfactants
  • Alternatives to Certain Phthalates
  • DfE Life-Cycle Assessments
  • Lithium-ion Batteries &
    Nanotechnology
  • Safer Detergents Stewardship
    Initiative
  • DfE's Best Practices Partnerships
• Resources
  • Publications
  • CleanGredients® (database
    of safer ingredients)

 

Quick Safety Tips for SPF Users

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is an effective insulation and air sealant material; however, exposures to its key ingredient, isocyanates, and other SPF chemicals that may be found in vapors, aerosols, dust, or on surfaces during and for a period of time after installation can cause adverse health effects such as:

• Asthma, a potentially life-threatening disease
• Sensitization, which can lead to asthma attacks if exposed again
• Lung damage
• Other respiratory and breathing problems
• Skin and eye irritation

Whether you are an applicator, helper, or building occupant where this product is applied, follow these steps to control exposures:

• Review label and product information for ingredients, hazards, directions, safe work practices, and precautions
• Ensure health and safety training is completed and safe work practices are followed to prevent eye, skin, and inhalation exposures during and after SPF installation
• Exercise caution when determining safe re-occupancy for unprotected occupants and workers based on the manufacturer’s recommendation

If you experience breathing problems or other health concerns from weatherizing with SPF, seek immediate medical attention.

Only applicators and helpers using effective workplace practices (including ventilation), appropriate personal protective equipment, and other steps to control exposures should be present during and for a period of time after SPF installation. To avoid chemical exposures as these products cure, the occupants of the home/building, as well as workers from other trades, should not enter the site until the spray foam manufacturer's "re-occupancy" procedures have been satisfied.

Use the appropriate protection and best practices suited for each type of SPF product. 

Since re-entry time is dependent on product formulation and other factors that affect curing, more general research as well as product specific studies are needed to understand when it is safe for unprotected workers or building/home occupants to re-enter.

Some manufacturers estimate that it can take approximately 23-72 hours after application for the foam to fully cure for the two-component high pressure "professional" SPF system, and approximately 8 to 24 hours to cure for one component foam, typically available in 12 oz. to 24 oz. cans, but more research is needed to account for the potential variability of curing rates.

Spray foam that is correctly applied and allowed to fully cure is typically considered relatively inert (chemically inactive). However, certain factors impact curing rates, which may lead to unreacted chemicals potentially off-gassing over time.  In addition, SPF chemicals may migrate and contaminate other surfaces in a building. Also, improper curing may impact the quality and performance of the foam. 

The factors that impact curing rates include:

• Ambient conditions such as temperature and humidity
• Improper workplace practices (such as failing to shut down the HVAC system and the sealing of air vents)
• Poor applicator technique (improper mixing, proportioning, thickness of foam applied)

The above situations can impact indoor air quality, so it is important to follow steps to control exposure to ensure safe application of SPF.  Read more information on exposure potential. In addition, more research is needed regarding the long-term stability of the foam.

Top of page