All rights reserved. Formaldehyde in the insulation reacts with heat and humidity in the air, allowing formaldehyde gas to be released. Formaldehyde can cause symptoms such as breathing difficulties, headaches, nausea, nosebleeds, eye and ear irritation, and dizziness.
Some scientists suspect formaldehyde of being a carcinogen.
This type if insulation, popular during the energy crunch of the 1970s, was banned by Massachusetts in 1979. In 1986, M.G.L. chapter 255, section 12I was passed into law mandating property sellers and landlords to determine whether UFFI is in their dwelling. If UFFI is present, the seller must disclose this information to the buyer or tenant. This statute does not mandate that the seller or landlord remove UFFI if found in the dwelling. Therefore, it is advisable that all real estate brokers recommend that the seller or landlord take reasonable steps to determine if their dwelling contains UFFI, and if necessary, administer the proper tests.