EPA has questions about spray foam insulation and air quality

DORAVILLE, Ga. - A big trend in construction these days is to use spray foam as insulation, replacing the traditional fiberglass kind. But, it's not without controversy and potential risks. Here's a peek at my continuing investigation into a product that some homeowners say can hide problems that is destroying homes.

Spray foam insulation is put into homes - in attics and basements and sometimes in the interior of the walls - to help manage utility bills. And it really works. It can really cut heating and air costs. But, at what cost?

In part one of our look into spray foam insulation, we showed you multiple homes infested with termites. One homeowner alleges in a lawsuit that termites got in behind the spray foam insulation and hid the fact that they were foraging through the foam, spreading throughout the home and causing more damage than they otherwise would. But there's more to this story and to our Fox 5 I-Team investigation.  

R.S. Andrews, one of the largest heating and air companies in our area, has seen spray foam used as insulation turn minor refrigerator leaks into major renovation jobs, because, they tell us, the leak was  hidden until it became too big to ignore. The company, we're told, gets requests to install it all of the time, but management says they won't do it. Not yet anyway. And for reasons beyond potential home damage.

"As a company we're not ready to put this product in the home yet until there's more studies done health-wise and our clients will be safe having it," said manager Andrew Navarro.

Their concerns marry those of the EPA. Join me Monday morning at 7 a.m. on Good Day Atlanta for the full story on this very popular product.