Hi, this is the first time I've posted, though I've often read the forums and found them really informative.

I'm looking for any information and anyone's experiences with cavity wall insulation.

My friend has severe M.E. and so sensitivity to all sorts of chemicals etc. She is renting a place where she's spending a whole lot on heating bills. It has no cavity wall insulation, and so getting cavity wall insulation seems to be a good move. But apart from knowing that the foam cavity wall insulation is a definite no-no, I can find out very little about any possible health implications of any other materials for cavity wall insulation - expanded polystyrene beads or mineral wool. I know that there are issues with the mineral wool for breathing in the dust that it creates when used for loft insulation, but no idea if that's a factor when it's injected into the cavity walls.

Can anyone help? My friend's desperately worried about her heating bills, but obviously can't afford to do anything to her house which runs any risk of worsening her already precarious help.

Thanks!
Jenny

Hi Jenny,

Great to hear you have been a regular visitor and found the site useful

Although I suffered from severe MCS myself for a number of years before fortunately overcoming it I never had an issue with cavity wall insulation as I lived in two flats during that time, both of which had had cavity wall insulation installed years before so there had been time for formaldehyde and other potential problem chemicals to \"off-gas\".

I have done some research following your post and unfortunately have come up empty-handed regarding safe cavity wall insulating materials - just as you did. All the information out there seems to be about the dangers of traditional insulating materials.

I do have one suggestion that might be a good option for your friend however. Ecos Organic Paints have a paint called Ecos Insulating Wallpaint that they claim improves heat retention by 10-30%. Perhaps your friend could paint her place using this paint as an alternative to cavity wall insulation. I haven't used this paint myself but I did use standard Ecos paints throughout my current flat when I had MCS and can vouch for them being low in problem chemicals - they never triggered my MCS symptoms. However, everyone is different so I'd recommend your friend tests the paint on say one wall of one room before going all out!

I hope this helps. I'll post again if I come across anything promising regarding safe cavity wall insulation.

Thanks very much for your reply, Maff, and for taking a look yourself re safe materials for this.
I just wanted to ask - I've not been able to find anything about the polystyrene beads or the mineral wool to suggest that it won't be safe, I just obviously don't trust for my friend the information saying that it's safe. Had you come across anything suggesting that they wouldn't be safe? If so, could you tell me how to find that information? I've just been finding total lack of information on either side - other than for the foam which is totally out.
I guess not many people have to consider the safety of cavity wall insulation - unless it's a new house - as it's been installed a good way in the past.
Thank you for all the time you put into this site!
Jenny

Hey Jenny,

No problem, sorry I couldn't be more help.

I didn't come across anything about polysterene beads or mineral wool in terms of health effects unfortunately.

Personally I would steer clear of polystyrene beads as they are certain to give off toxic fumes for a while that will undoubtedly find their way into the indoor environment of your friend's home. You might want to check with her if she reacts to polystyrene used as packaging material etc. Either way I would advise against it as if she doesn't react to it at the moment after filling all the walls of her home with it there is a good chance she will!

Mineral wool is less clear cut in my mind. If mineral wool is all it is then it may be an option. I'd just worry about small particles of it getting into the inddor air and then your friend breathing them in. It's the best option you have mentioned but that's something to consider.

There must be someone somewhere that makes entirely safe cavity wall insulation but there won't be many as it's not something there will be much demand for at present. I hope you are able to find something and please pass on my best wishes to your friend!

If you do find a safer alternative I'd be really grateful if you came back and told us about it