Center for Polyurethanes Industry Continues Focus on Spray Polyurethane Foam Stewardship

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 12, 2015 – The American Chemistry Council’s Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) sponsored an ASTM International symposium focused on standardizing methods to measure emissions from spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation.

The event, known as the “Symposium on Developing Consensus Standards for Measuring Chemical Emissions from SPF Insulation,” enabled regulatory agencies, SPF manufacturers and other stakeholders to engage in conversations about present and on-going development of standards for measuring emissions from SPF insulation.

The objective of the symposium was to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas from SPF manufacturers, regulatory agencies, indoor air quality professionals, testing labs, air quality consultants, instrument vendors and other stakeholders. Following the presentations on the current status of measuring emissions from SPF insulation, participants discussed paths forward for research, method development and development of standards.

In addition to sponsoring the event, CPI contributed three papers to the symposium:

• Ventilation Research Project for Estimating Re-Entry Times for Trade Workers Following Application of Three Generic Spray Polyurethane Foam Formulations

• Evaluation of Micro-Scale Chambers for Measuring Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation

• Computer Simulation of Peak Temperatures in Spray Polyurethane Foam Used in Residential Insulation Applications

These papers highlight CPI’s continued commitment to research, method development,  and product stewardship. Additional information on these research projects is available on CPI’s website.

“Members of CPI are leaders in product stewardship, and one of our primary focuses is the safe use of polyurethane products to promote energy efficiency and comfortable living and working spaces,” said Lee Salamone, CPI senior director. “The collaboration between industry and regulatory agencies that occurred at this conference is important as we develop standards that everyone can use, and we were pleased to sponsor this important event.”

When buildings are increasingly made airtight, indoor emissions from all products in the home become more important to understanding the quality of the indoor air. SPF insulation helps keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Because it is sprayed directly into the gaps, cracks and other surfaces that contribute to heat loss, SPF both insulates and seals, offering one of the easiest and most effective ways of weatherizing existing homes and new construction.

About The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry of the American Chemistry Council: CPI promotes the sustainable development of polyurethanes. Our members are U.S. producers or distributors of chemicals and equipment used to make polyurethane or manufacturers of polyurethane products. For more information, please use the contact information and links provided below.