If you are not able to make necessary repairs to you home, either because you do not own the property or cannot afford the work then our factsheet Solving Housing Problems may provide some useful guidance. Major renovation or structural repair can cause a lot of dust and other irritant triggers, so a home in good condition is usually preferable. As well as the dust and fumes of general work, problems can arise when treating a house for woodworm, damp and dry rot etc. There is little medical research on the vast array of chemicals used to treat these problems, but if you are concerned about the safety of a particular chemical, check the container or ask the contractor for a safety sheet. You can also ask your local council's environmental health department for advice.
Some insulation materials contain formalin and formaldehyde.
It is important that the skin containing the insulation is not cracked, as this can leak fumes into the house. These fumes can cause adverse effects even in people who do not have asthma. If inadvertently you expose the urea-formaldehyde foam insulation in your wall cavities, get the damage repaired straight away or ideally replaced. If you are having cavity wall insulation installed check with the builder or contractor exactly what they intend to use. Micafil is free of these chemicals.