Making Healthier, Greener Foam Insulation

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A proposed change to the International Residential Code would eliminate the need for halogenated flame retardants in many applications

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[](http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/energy-solutions/making-healthier-greener-foam-insulation)

[](http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/energy-solutions/making-healthier-greener-foam-insulation)

As readers of this blog know, I've come down fairly hard on certain types of foam insulation over the years. The downsides include the [blowing agents](http://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/avoiding-global-warming-impact-insulation) used in extruded polystyrene (XPSExtruded polystyrene. Highly insulating, water-resistant rigid foam insulation that is widely used above and below grade, such as on exterior walls and underneath concrete floor slabs. In North America, XPS is made with ozone-depleting HCFC-142b. XPS has higher density and R-value and lower vapor permeability than EPS rigid insulation.) and most closed-cell spray polyurethane foam and the flame retardants that are added to all foam-plastic insulation to impart some level of fire resistance.

URL: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/energy-solutions/making-healthier-greener-foam-insulation