Eco Friendly Cellulose Insulation

Most US homes are insulated with fiberglass. What’s the problem with fiberglass insulation? Fiberglass can escape from the insulation, filling the air with the equivalent of microscopic shards of glass. If inhaled, these tiny particles of glass can inflict damage to the lungs. What’s more, fiberglass is considered to be a probable carcinogen by National Institutes of Health. Children are at greater risk than adults when exposed, because they breathe more air – and whatever it contains.

Until recently, the other insulation options consisted of cotton, wool, and petroleum based cellulose insulation. Now you can have the same benefits of cellulose insulation - at the same cost, but without the unfavorable petroleum aspect. Soy-based blow-in insulation is made from a byproduct - oil left over after the beans are crushed to make foodstuff, cosmetics, and other products, that until now was waste. Unlike fiberglass, soybean insulation is non-carcinogenic, has no off-gassing (VOCs, CFCs, HCFCs, or formaldehyde). It eliminates mold and allergens, and is rodent and insect resistant. It also boasts very high sound attenuation properties. Soy based blow-in insulation will make your house stand out from the crowd both in energy savings (50-70% more than fiberglass) and the health of your indoor air. There are also tax credits and rebate programs from energy providers that can help you offset the costs of the investment in soy-based insulation (for the year 2009).

The leading company for soy-based insulation in the Northeast is The Green Cocoon, contact them for more information if you are interested in this insulation for your home or business. You can also visit BioBased, the manufacturer, to find a dealer near you or to find more answers to your questions.