The binders used in most fiberglass insulation contain formaldehyde, which is widely considered harmful to your health; its vapors are classified as potential carcinogens. Once installed, fiberglass can still emit formaldehyde gases. Fiberglass is also listed as unhealthy, both for the long-term effects of exposure to airborne particles, which some sources consider another possible cause of cancer, and the immediate result of respiratory irritation.
To make cellulose loose fill more resistant to fire and infestation, manufacturers use chemical additives. Up to 20 percent of cellulose insulation is made of ammonium sulfate or boric acid, both of which are low in toxicity. Ammonium sulfate gives off a stronger odor, and some installers believe it may corrode copper pipes. Boric acid, meanwhile, is also used in baby clothes and cotton batts as a fire retardant; it is less likely to cause irritation.
If you’re concerned about the potential health hazards of these additives, either during installation or afterward, ask the manufacturer or retailer for health and safety information - or check for competing products.
When you evaluate your existing insulation, watch out for vermiculite - a lightweight mineral shaped like grains or nuggets, in colors that range from gray-brown to silver-gold. Vermiculite was commonly used as loose fill insulation in houses built before 1990. Some contain asbestos, which is well known as a carcinogen. If asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled, they can lead to serious respiratory illness or cancer.
The threat to your health is great enough that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a warning about vermiculite insulation. If you find vermiculite in your house, call an insulation professional for advice. You may have to decide between having it removed by a licensed contractor and just leaving it where it is.
While fiberglass batts have the same R-value as cellulose loose fill, they are made in fixed widths and thicknesses. Any variation in the space you fill with fiberglass batts may prevent them from forming an adequate barrier to air infiltration and high-frequency sound transmission. Remember: the R-value of a gap in your insulation is zero.
Loose fill, however, conforms to every bump and dent, sealing the space with as much material as you choose to apply. Over the months and years, cellulose insulation settles further in, which improves its thermal performance. That also means the installed depth must be adjusted for the predicted density once the loose fill has settled, not just the total depth at the time of installation. Don’t worry about making these calculations; manufacturers provide them in their product literature, and sometimes right on the bag.
For installations in open wall cavities, you will need to use a damp-spray method. While this may be within the range of skill you already have, the requirements are strict and the consequences of mistakes can be serious. The dampened mixture should not have more than 25 percent moisture when it is enclosed, and will need enough ventilation to finish drying out. Otherwise, mold and mildew become likely. This is one project you should probably give to a professional installer.
The installed price of cellulose insulation can be higher than for fiberglass batts, because loose fill requires special equipment to reach tight spaces. As a percentage of total building or remodeling costs, however, this difference in price is relatively small. Given the performance characteristics of loose fill, you will save that much and more in heating costs over time, without even calculating the value of environmental and health benefits.
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