Health effects in factories producing synthetic foam insulations include blurred vision, skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation, asthma, etc. There are many different and varied compounds used in the manufacture of these products. For most of the ingredients the health effects are simply unknown because they have not been studied. It is a sensitizer and has been shown to cause various neurological symptoms. As more studies come to light, undoubtedly more negative health effects will become known.
Most foam insulations emit very noxious fumes during a fire.
If they are covered by a non-combustible material such as plaster or drywall, they will be fairly well separated from a fire. However, the synthetic carpeting, and modern upholstery materials will give off similar fumes and they will be quickly engulfed in a fire. Vermiculite and perlite insulation are occasionally found in houses. Their use is generally confined to concrete block walls, where they are poured in place during construction. Vermiculite is a mica-like mineral that, when heated, puffs up.